Hepatitis Biomarker
Collection Type: Blood
Related System: Hepatitis
HAV Ab (Hepatitis A virus antibody) testing detects antibodies produced in response to HAV infection or vaccination. Tests commonly measure anti-HAV IgM (marker of recent/acute infection) and anti-HAV IgG/total anti-HAV (marker of past infection or immunity). It is used when a patient has symptoms of acute viral hepatitis—jaundice, fatigue, anorexia, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools—or when determining immune status before travel or after vaccination. Results vary by age and exposure history: children often have milder or asymptomatic disease but can be seropositive from prior exposure; infants may carry maternal IgG; immunocompromised patients may have delayed or absent antibody responses.
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Symptom Checker<1.0 index (S/CO) Non-reactive (negative)
Q: What does HAV ab positive mean?
A: HAV Ab positive means antibodies to hepatitis A virus are detected in your blood. A positive IgM indicates a recent or acute infection; a positive IgG or total antibody usually indicates past infection or immunity from prior infection or vaccination. Results should be interpreted with symptoms and timing—consult your healthcare provider for confirmation, management, and advice about isolation or vaccination of contacts.
Q: What is the cause of hepatitis A AB?
A: Hepatitis A is caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV), a single‑stranded RNA virus. It spreads mainly by the fecal–oral route—through contaminated food or water, poor sanitation, or close contact with an infected person, and rarely via blood. It causes acute liver inflammation, does not become chronic, and is preventable with vaccination and good hygiene.
Q: What is the treatment for hepatitis A AB reactive?
A: If hepatitis A antibody (IgM) is reactive, treatment is supportive: rest, adequate fluids and nutrition, avoid alcohol and hepatotoxic drugs (use acetaminophen cautiously), and monitor liver function. There is no specific antiviral; hospitalize for severe or fulminant disease and consider liver transplant evaluation if needed. Offer post‑exposure immunoglobulin or vaccination to close contacts and isolate until about one week after jaundice onset.
Q: Can hepatitis AB be cured?
A: Yes and no. Hepatitis A is an acute infection that almost always resolves completely with supportive care and does not become chronic. Hepatitis B often clears after acute infection, but some cases become chronic; chronic HBV is rarely cured, though antiviral drugs (for example tenofovir, entecavir) can suppress the virus, reduce liver damage and complications. Vaccines prevent both.
Q: Is hepatitis A antibody a sign of past infection or vaccination?
A: Hepatitis A antibody type matters. Anti-HAV IgM indicates recent or acute infection. Anti-HAV IgG (or total anti-HAV when IgG predominates) indicates immunity from prior infection or successful vaccination. Routine antibody tests that detect IgG/total anti-HAV confirm protective immunity but cannot distinguish whether that immunity came from past infection versus vaccination without clinical history or vaccination records.
Q: What symptoms are associated with hepatitis A when antibodies are detected?
A: When hepatitis A IgM antibodies are detected (acute infection), common symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain—often right upper quadrant—dark urine, pale stools, jaundice and joint aches; children may be asymptomatic or have mild illness. Detection of IgG antibodies indicates past infection or vaccination, usually reflecting immunity without active symptoms.