Nervous

[Wandering1970]

Good afternoon, I have a question to my testing.  I had a risky chance of exposure on July 2.  Started have stomach issues at 4 1/2 weeks. Discomfort to right of it .  Then sometimes on the left lower.  And mid back on each side has been constant. 

Tested hep b test at 6 1/2 weeks.  Results are as followed.
HBsAg- negative
HBcAb, tot- negative
HB surface Ab quant <3.1

1 week later rested the HsAg- negative

I am still feeling some discomfort. Should feel comfortable with the test results?  Should the HBsAg test be positive with me having these feelings this long?

Thank you

[Lynn K]

Those symptoms could be anything and likely not hep b.

Sounds more like a gastrointestinal problem perhaps gas.

For medical advise I recommend you ask your health care professional.

[Wandering1970]

Thank you.  I hope you are correct. If I had been having these issues that long before the test, I should have gotten a positive reading on the HBsAg?  It's just strange in the timing of it all.

[Lynn K]

Probably stress related the mind with excessive worry can create a myriad of symptoms most often stomach related.

[Lynn K]

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm#bFAQe02

What are the symptoms of acute hepatitis B?
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B, if they appear, can include:

Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Dark urine
Clay-colored bowel movements
Joint pain
Jaundice (yellow color in the skin or the eyes)
How soon after exposure to hepatitis B will symptoms appear?
If symptoms occur, they begin an average of 90 days (or 3 months) after exposure, but they can appear any time between 8 weeks and 5 months after exposure.

[Lynn K]

Tests
What are the common blood tests available to diagnose hepatitis B?
There are many different blood tests available to diagnose hepatitis B. They can be ordered as an individual test or as a series of tests. Ask your doctor to explain what tests were ordered and when you will get the results. Below are some of the common tests and their meanings.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) is a protein on the surface of the hepatitis B virus. It can be detected in the blood during acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The body normally produces antibodies to HBsAg as part of the normal immune response to infection.

A positive test means:

A person has an acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection and can pass the virus to others
A negative test means:

A person does not have the hepatitis B virus in his or her blood

Sounds like you do not have hep B

See your personal physician for a proper diagnosis of your symptoms

[Wandering1970]

Thanks again. I have read the CDC information.  I came here looking for some more info that people deal with it more.  I was wondering if the time frame falls in were it should before the test.  I know by
 reading the test I should not have it.  It was the the 6 1/2 week and 7 1/2 week testing times if it was being acceptable with the symptoms I might be having to give a true reading.

Thanks again

[Lynn K]

I would expect the medical experts at the CDC know many times more than a lay person in an Internet forum.

For knowledgeable medical advice seek out the opinion of medical experts like the CDC or your personal physician. They are the experts. This is a community of patients coming together for mutual support while dealing with chronic medical liver related conditions. There are no medical professionals here just patients. We cannot offer medical diagnostic advice that is the job of your doctor.

In my lay persons opinion your symptoms don’t sound related to hepatitis especially as the CDC said it takes a couple of months to develop. I’m betting they are caused by your stress caused by your fears about hep B. They do not sound like symptoms of hep b. Many things can cause stomach issues stress being one of many.

See your doctor for a proper diagnosis of your stomach problems.

[Lynn K]

“How long does it take for blood to test HBsAg-positive after exposure to HBV?
HBsAg will be detected in an infected person’s blood an average of 4 weeks (range: 1–9 weeks) after exposure to the virus. About 1 of 2 patients will no longer be infectious by 7 weeks after onset of symptoms, and all patients who do not remain chronically infected will be HBsAg-negative by 15 weeks after onset of symptoms (12).”

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/hbvfaq.htm#C4

Per the above it appears it can take up to 9 weeks to test HBsAg-positive after exposure. Seems you posdibly tested too soon. Of course your doctor would have been the pest person to ask about when to get tested to ensure accuracy of results.

Also per the CDC:

“What is the incubation period for hepatitis B?
If symptoms occur, they begin an average of 90 days (range: 60–150 days) after exposure to HBV (11, 12).”

You should not experience symptoms sooner than 60 days post exposure. Many people do not experience any symptoms. Only 30 to 50% of otherwise healthy adults will experience symptoms and the symptoms experienced are not what you have described.

Did you have one of the listed exposures? If not you are not at risk.

“How is HBV transmitted?
HBV is transmitted through activities that involve percutaneous (i.e., puncture through the skin) or mucosal contact with infectious blood or body fluids (e.g., semen, saliva), including

Sex with an infected partner
Injection drug use that involves sharing needles, syringes, or drug-preparation equipment
Birth to an infected mother
Contact with blood or open sores of an infected person
Needle sticks or sharp instrument exposures
Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
HBV is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, hand holding, coughing, or sneezing.”