What does the Hep B Sur AB test indicate?

The Hep B Sur AB test, or Hepatitis B Surface Antibody test, measures the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis B virus's surface antigens. A positive result indicates that an individual has developed immunity to Hepatitis B, either through vaccination or recovery from a past infection.

If a person has received the hepatitis B vaccine, the test would show positive antibodies, demonstrating that their immune system has successfully responded to the vaccination and provided protection against future infections. Similarly, if someone has had a past infection and has cleared the virus, this test would also yield positive results as the body produces antibodies to fight off the virus. This is distinct from active or chronic infections, where antibodies would not be present until after recovery, and the presence of surface antigens would typically indicate an ongoing infection. Thus, the test serves as an important assessment of immunity.