Hepatitis B surface Antibody Total (Anti HBsAG)
Screens for current hepatitis B infection. Part of every pre-surgery, antenatal and blood-donor screen
Also known as HBsAg, Hepatitis B test, Australia antigen, HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen), HBsAg Test
₹320/-₹400/-20% offFree collection on orders above ₹500/-
- Reports within
- 8 hours
- Parameter included
- 01see list
- Sample
- Blood
- Fasting
- Not needed
- Measures
- Presence of hepatitis B surface antigen in the blood
- Identifies
- Current hepatitis B infection
Collected at home
A trained phlebotomist visits at a time you pick, from the next hour
Sealed single-use kit
Opened in front of you, and carried to the lab under controlled conditions
Report within 8 hours
On WhatsApp and email, with any value outside the normal range highlighted
What is the HBsAg test?
HBsAg stands for hepatitis B surface antigen, a protein on the outer coat of the hepatitis B virus. If it is in your blood, the virus is in your body now. The test reports a single result: negative or positive.
A negative result means no current hepatitis B infection. A positive result means you are infected and can pass the virus on through blood, sexual contact or from mother to baby at birth. It does not say whether the infection is new or long-standing, or how active the virus is. A doctor will order further tests, such as HBeAg, HBV DNA and a liver function test, to work that out. Chronic hepatitis B can be controlled with antiviral tablets, and the people around you can be vaccinated.
No fasting is needed. A phlebotomist collects a small blood sample at home, and the report reaches you on WhatsApp and email in 8 hours.
HBsAg parameters1 measured
HBsAg
Negative
Hepatitis B surface antigen, a protein from the hepatitis B virus, positive when the infection is present whether recent or long-standing
Reference ranges are the lab's defaults for adults and are printed on the report beside every value
How to prepare
- No fasting is needed.
- Take your usual medicines as normal.
- Tell the phlebotomist if you have been vaccinated against hepatitis B in the last few weeks; a recent dose can rarely cause a brief positive result.
Who should take it
Pregnant women at the first antenatal visit. Anyone due for surgery, dialysis, chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment. Partners and household members of a person with hepatitis B. Healthcare workers, and anyone who has had a needle-stick injury. People who have shared needles, had a tattoo or piercing at an unregulated parlour, or received a blood transfusion before routine screening. Anyone with raised liver enzymes, jaundice or fatigue that does not settle. People planning vaccination who want to know their status first.
Before the visit
Mention any hepatitis B vaccination in the past month, and any known hepatitis B in the family. If you are on immunosuppressants or chemotherapy, tell your doctor, as the interpretation changes.
Why take the HBsAg test?
- Pregnancy: Every antenatal check includes HBsAg, because a baby born to an infected mother can be protected with a vaccine and immunoglobulin at birth.
- Before surgery or dialysis: Hospitals screen for hepatitis B before any procedure involving blood.
- After a possible exposure: A needle-stick, shared razor, unsterile tattoo or unprotected sex with a new partner.
- Household contact: If someone at home has hepatitis B, others should be tested and vaccinated.
- Unexplained raised liver enzymes: A high SGPT with no obvious cause needs a hepatitis screen.
Questions about the HBsAg test
What is the HBsAg test used for?
It detects the hepatitis B surface antigen, a protein from the virus itself. A positive result means you currently have hepatitis B. It is the standard screen before surgery, in pregnancy, for blood donors and after any possible exposure.
Do I need to fast for a hepatitis B test?
No fasting is needed. Eat and drink normally and take your usual medicines. The only thing worth mentioning is a hepatitis B vaccine dose in the past few weeks.
What sample is taken and how does home collection work?
A small blood sample from the arm. A trained phlebotomist visits your home with a sealed single-use kit, draws the sample in a few minutes and carries it to the lab.
What is a normal HBsAg result?
The test reports one result. Negative is normal and means no hepatitis B surface antigen was found in your blood. Positive means the antigen is present and you are infected.
What does a positive HBsAg result mean?
You have hepatitis B now, and can pass it on through blood, sex or childbirth. It does not say whether the infection is recent or long-standing. Your doctor will order HBeAg, HBV DNA and a liver function test to decide whether you need antiviral treatment, and your close contacts should be tested and vaccinated.
Who should get tested for hepatitis B and how often?
Pregnant women at the first antenatal visit, anyone before surgery or dialysis, household and sexual contacts of an infected person, healthcare workers, and anyone with raised liver enzymes. A single negative test is enough if there is no ongoing exposure; repeat after any new risk.
How long does the HBsAg report take?
8 hours from collection. The report reaches you on WhatsApp and email. If it is positive, take it to a doctor instead of waiting for symptoms, as further tests decide what happens next.
I have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Will my test be positive?
No. The vaccine contains the surface antigen but it clears within days, so only a test taken in the first week or two after a dose can show a brief positive. Vaccination gives you antibodies (anti-HBs), which is a different test.
Can this test tell how much virus I have?
No. HBsAg only shows the virus is present. The amount of virus, called the viral load, needs an HBV DNA test, which your doctor will order if the HBsAg is positive.
Commonly tested together
Often on the same prescription
What happens after you book
- A phlebotomist is assigned and reaches you in your chosen slot, as soon as the next hour
- The sample is collected with a sealed single-use kit and moved on a cold chain
- The report lands on WhatsApp and email within 8 hours