Hepatitis A Antibody Test

The Hepatitis A antibodies or Hepatitis A virus test is a blood examination which looks for proteins that the body makes in response to a Hepatitis A viral infection. There are two different types of antibodies that this exam looks for, IgM anti-HAV and IgG anti-HAV. The first set of antibodies indicates that there was recently an infection involving the Hepatitis A virus in the body. These antibodies are typically detectable in the body as early as two weeks following the initial infection. The antibodies disappear between three and 12 months following the infection.

The second set of antibodies indicates that the patient currently has a Hepatitis A viral infection. Between eight and 12 weeks after the person becomes infected with the Hepatitis A virus, the IgG anti-HAV antibodies will begin to appear, and they will continue to remain in the blood in order to provide a lifelong protection or immunity against the virus. <\/p>