Hepatitis B Testing

The only way to know if you have hepatitis B is to get a blood test.
Hepatitis B is not a routine test.
Unless you ask for it, the check-ups you do with your doctor will not include it.
If you want to know your hepatitis B status, ask your doctor for a hepatitis B test.

If you think you may have hepatitis B, the only way to know for sure is to get tested. Hepatitis B is not a routine testing procedure and unless you ask for it, the check-ups you do with your family doctor will not include it. If you want to know your hepatitis B status, ask your doctor for a hepatitis B test.

Why get tested for hepatitis B?

About 1 in 100 people in NSW have hepatitis B. Almost half of those aren’t diagnosed yet.

You may wish to get tested for hepatitis B if you:

were born in a country with high rates of hepatitis B
are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
have family members with a history of liver disease
have ever injected drugs
have any family members with hepatitis B
may have had a medical procedure overseas, where the equipment wasn’t sterile
Taken part in any traditional practices or rituals where blood is involved (such as traditional tattooing or circumcision)

Testing is recommended for people born in China, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, the Pacific Islands, other countries in the Middle East, Amazon Basin, South and Central Asia (India, Pakistan and the former Soviet Republics), the Asia Pacific region, some African countries, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

If you believe you might have hepatitis B it is very important that you book a test with your doctor as soon as possible.

Click here to check out the current hepatitis B awareness campaign >>

How would I know if I have hepatitis B?

The only way to know if you have hepatitis B is by getting a blood test. You can’t tell if you have hepatitis B by symptoms, looks, history, country of birth, or the hepatitis B status of others around you.

Many people with hepatitis B don’t have any noticeable symptoms, either.

What to expect from your doctor?

Hepatitis B can be very complex and not every doctor has a good understanding of it. You can check our directory for a hepatitis B specialist doctor or use our resources to help you and your doctor through hepatitis B testing.

Your doctor might ask you about your family history of hepatitis B or liver disease, where you were born, and any other possible exposures to hepatitis B such as unprotected sex or injecting drug use.

You can tell your doctor as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. More information can help your doctor make the best decisions for your health, but what you share with them is up to you.

You might be able to access healthcare via your computer or phone. Click here to learn more about Telehealth and hepatitis B >>

The hepatitis B blood tests

There are 3 hepatitis B tests called HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc. You should make sure your doctor does all three hepatitis B tests. Our hepatitis B testing chart can explain each test and help you to make sure your doctor does all the tests you need.

These three tests tell you if you have hepatitis B, if you are protected against hepatitis B (such as from a vaccination), and if you have ever come into contact with hepatitis B. Getting all three tests is important to help you and our doctor understand your hepatitis B status.

What does your hepatitis B test result mean?

A hepatitis B test (to see if you have hepatitis B or check for immunity) can involve lots of different words that are hard to understand, including HBsAg positive, hepatitis B surface antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HBs reactive.

Most of these words are explained in the following charts:

Hepatitis B Testing Chart

乙肝检查图表 Chinese Hepatitis B Testing Chart

B형 간염 검사 차트 Korean Hepatitis B Testing Chart

For more detailed information about hepatitis B testing, please consult your doctor. You can also contact our Hepatitis Infoline for confidential support.

For more information, speak to your doctor.