. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a highly contagious virus that infects the liver, causing inflammation and potentially leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
. It is transmitted through contact with infected blood, sexual contact, sharing needles, from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, and through contaminated medical equipment or blood transfusions.
. Symptoms of HBV infection include fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, and nausea, although many infections, especially in early stages, are asymptomatic.
. HBeAb is an antibody produced in response to the clearance of HBeAg and typically indicates a reduction in viral replication and lower infectivity. Its presence suggests that the infection is transitioning into a less active phase or that treatment has been effective.
Note: HBeAb is usually interpreted alongside other HBV tests, such as HBsAg, HBV DNA, and liver function tests, for a comprehensive assessment.