Hepatitis B DNA Test

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KEY POINTS

• The hepatitis B DNA test is a blood test used to see if antiviral therapy may work for you and to check how well antiviral treatment is working if you have a known chronic (long-term) hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
• A small amount of blood is taken from a vein in your arm with a needle. The blood is collected in tubes and sent to a lab.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about what the test results mean and ask any questions you have.

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What is a hepatitis B DNA test?

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that is in all of your body’s cells. DNA provides the information that tells your body how to develop and work. The hepatitis B virus also contains DNA. The HBV DNA can bind to and enter the cells in your body and make more of the virus DNA and virus protein. The HBV DNA test measures how much of the hepatitis B virus DNA is in your blood. This is called the viral load.

Why is this test done?

Hepatitis B is contagious and can be life-threatening. The HBV DNA test is not used to diagnose infection. The test is used to see if antiviral therapy may work for you. And it is used to check how well antiviral treatment is working if you have a known chronic (long-term) HBV infection.

How do I prepare for this test?

Usually no preparation is needed for this test.

How is the test done?

Having this test will take just a few minutes. A small amount of blood is taken from a vein in your arm with a needle. The blood is collected in tubes and sent to a lab.

Ask your healthcare provider when and how you will get the result of your test.

What does the test result mean?

A high viral load usually means that the virus is multiplying in your body and certain antiviral medicines may not work well for you. It may mean that treatment is not working. A very low level of the hepatitis B virus means that certain medicines may work well for you or that your treatment is working well.

What if the test result is not normal?

Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your medical history, physical exam, and current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your healthcare provider about the result and ask questions such as:

• If you need more tests
• What kind of treatment you might need
• What lifestyle, diet, or other changes you might need to make