A member asked:

Does a negative hep b surface antibody test mean i have no current infection?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. Michael P Vaughn answered

Specializes in Allergy and Immunology

No: There is a lag time between when a person becomes infected with a virus (or other invader) and when antibodies begin to appear in the blood. So you can be ifected without any antibody evidence of infection early in any disease.

Dr Harris agreed

Answered 11/20/2014

5.8k views

Thank

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

A member asked:

Does a negative hep b surface antibody test mean i have no current infection?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Dr. Michael P Vaughn answered

Dr Harris agreed

Related Questions

A member asked:

For my Hep B lab test, its states my Hep B Surface Antigen was negative at 12 weeks and my Antibody was positive at 12 week (vaccinated). Can I rule out Hepatitis B?

A member asked:

Hep-c test =positive and anti HCV antibody test result = negative what it mean ? And is it require to take HBV vaccination?

A member asked:

Wanted to have my ducks in a row for my negative results: HIV 4th generation test (14 weeks), HCV RNA (9 weeks) HCV AB (14 weeks), Syphilis Rpr & AB (14 weeks), Hep surface antigen (12 weeks, positive antibody). All conclusive at this point?

A member asked:

Had unprotected sex 10 months ago ,I heard hep c may delay hiv seroconversion .Does hep A or HTLV infection delays hiv seroconversion?hiv 4th gen test neg conclusive after 10 month? Anti HAV igg 12.77 means am I in seroprotective level against hep A?

A member asked:

Any records of anyone developing late hiv antibodies(after a year of infection)? I might be infected 9 months back but 20+ neg 4th gen tests so far.

Sponsored Content

People also searched for:

Can a person with positive Hep b Surface Antibody test still have an ongoing infection (chronic or acute)? I only received the vaccine as an adult and had a Surface Antibody test show as "immune". Is this sufficient to rule out chronic infection?

I got a Hep A total test result back positive -high so I know I have antibodies to help a. . How do I know if this is from the vaccine or a current/recent breakthrough infection?

What does these mean? NEGATIVE Hepatitis B, Core Antibody Hep B Core Ab, Tot REACTIVE Hepatitis B, Surface Antibody?

Hi please help, hepb surface antigen positive, hep b surface antigen confirmatory negative, antibody negative and anti core negative.What does it mean?

Would a negative hep c antibody test at 14 weeks post possible exposure and a negative Hep c PCR at 18 weeks mean I don't have it?

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?