How to determine the amount of hepatitis B virus?

First of all, we need to understand the hepatitis B virus, that is, the hepatitis B viral load (HBV DNA), which refers to the amount of hepatitis B virus in the blood. This value can reflect the replication of the hepatitis B virus in your body and the degree of infection. Generally speaking, the higher the viral load, the faster the virus replicates and the greater the risk of transmission.

So, how do you check the amount of hepatitis B virus? This requires a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to be tested. In the hospital, the doctor will draw your blood and send it to the laboratory for testing. After a series of complex steps, the laboratory technicians can accurately calculate the hepatitis B virus load in your blood.

Seeing this, you may wonder, does the lower the viral load, the better? Actually, not really. A low viral load does not mean that your hepatitis B condition is mild. Sometimes, even though the viral load is low, the virus may still cause damage in the liver. Therefore, the doctor will make a comprehensive assessment of your condition based on your viral load, liver function, and other related indicators.

Next, let’s take a look at the disease conditions corresponding to different hepatitis B virus loads:

Low viral load (<2000 IU/ml): The virus replicates more slowly and the condition is less severe, but regular monitoring and treatment are still required.

Moderate viral load (2000-20000 IU/ml): The virus replicates at a moderate rate, the condition is relatively stable, and active treatment and control are required.

High viral load (>20,000 IU/ml): The virus replicates faster, the condition is more serious, and urgent treatment is needed to prevent worsening liver damage.