Hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV DNA)
The hepatitis B virus contains DNA. If DNA from the hepatitis B virus is found in your blood sample, then your health professional knows that the virus is multiplying.
- You are highly contagious when HBV DNA is present.
- If you have a long-term (chronic) HBV infection, the presence of high levels of viral DNA means that you are at increased risk for liver damage and may want to consider treatment with medications.
- Testing for the amount of HBV DNA (viral load) is an important way to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for chronic HBV infection.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: February 8, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
 | ||
| |