. 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.
. HBeAg is a protein secreted by HBV and is associated with active viral replication in the liver and high infectivity.
. It is used to assess the stage of infection, monitor treatment response, and determine the risk of liver damage or disease progression.
Note: HBeAg is usually interpreted alongside other HBV tests, such as HBsAg, HBV DNA, and liver function tests, for a comprehensive assessment.