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Hepatitis A: HAV Antibodies Total (HAV Ab)

HAV Ab stands for Hepatitis A Virus Antibodies. Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver, and is typically spread through contaminated food or water. The body's immune system produces antibodies to fight off the virus, and these antibodies can be detected in the blood through a test for HAV Ab. There are two types of HAV antibodies that can be detected through blood testing: IgM and IgG. IgM antibodies are produced early in the course of an acute hepatitis A infection, and typically disappear within a few months. IgG antibodies are produced later in the course of the infection, and can remain detectable for life. HAV Ab testing is often used to confirm a diagnosis of hepatitis A, or to determine if an individual has been previously infected with the virus. It may also be used to screen individuals who have been exposed to the virus or who are at high risk of infection, such as healthcare workers or individuals traveling to areas with high rates of hepatitis A.

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