Mascot Healthcare · Akoka, Lagos

Hepatitis
B & C
Testing

HBsAg · Anti-HBs · Anti-HBc · Anti-HCV · Liver Infection Screening

Nigeria has more than 20 million chronic hepatitis B carriers — making it one of the highest-burden countries in the world. Most carriers don't know they are infected. Untreated chronic hepatitis B causes cirrhosis and liver cancer. Testing identifies infection, immunity, and carrier status — the first step to protecting yourself and others.

Book Your Test Learn More

Same-day

Rapid HBsAg
Result

B & C

Both Viruses
Screened

100%

Confidential
Results

Hepatitis Panel

HBsAg (Hepatitis B)

Reactive

Active hepatitis B infection — treatment assessment needed

Positive ⚠

LFT + Viral load next step

Also Tested

Anti-HBs · HCV

About the Tests

Screening. Immunity. Carrier Status.

Hepatitis B serology is not a single test — it's a panel that distinguishes active infection, past infection with immunity, vaccination immunity, and uninfected/non-immune status. Each combination has different clinical implications and recommended actions. Understanding the panel ensures you act on the right information.

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HBsAg — Active Infection Screening

HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) is the primary screening test. Reactive = active hepatitis B infection (acute or chronic carrier). Requires follow-up with LFT, HBeAg, and viral load to assess severity and treatment need. This is the test employers and NYSC require.

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Anti-HBs — Immunity Status

Anti-HBs (surface antibody) indicates immunity — from vaccination or recovery from past infection. A level above 10 IU/L confirms protection. Below 10 IU/L means you are not immune and need vaccination. Checking anti-HBs before vaccination prevents unnecessary doses in already-immune individuals.

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Anti-HCV — Hepatitis C Screening

Anti-HCV (hepatitis C antibody) screens for past or current hepatitis C exposure. Unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C — but there are highly effective curative antiviral treatments. A reactive anti-HCV requires HCV RNA testing to confirm active infection. Early treatment prevents cirrhosis.

When to Test

Five Reasons to Get Hepatitis Testing

Never Been Tested — Everyone Should Know Their Status

Given Nigeria's high hepatitis B prevalence, every adult should be tested at least once. Most carriers have no symptoms for years — they discover their status only after liver damage is advanced. Testing at any age allows early intervention before the liver is irreparably harmed.

Before Vaccination — Check Immunity First

Before starting the hepatitis B vaccine series, an anti-HBs test checks whether you are already immune (from past vaccination or unrecognised infection). If anti-HBs is already above 10 IU/L, vaccination is unnecessary — saving time and cost.

Pre-Employment or NYSC Medical Requirements

Most Nigerian employers, healthcare institutions, and the NYSC require HBsAg testing as part of pre-employment screening. We provide certified results on clinic letterhead, signed and stamped by our medical officer — accepted across Lagos and nationally.

Pregnancy — Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission

An HBsAg-positive mother transmits hepatitis B to 70–90% of her newborn children without intervention. With proper management (infant vaccination + HBIG at birth), transmission drops below 5%. Every pregnant woman should be screened at her first antenatal visit — this is potentially life-changing for the child.

Known Hepatitis B — Annual Monitoring

Chronic hepatitis B carriers require regular LFT and liver ultrasound to detect early liver cancer (HCC) — which develops silently. Annual hepatitis panel combined with LFT guides decisions about when antiviral treatment is needed and monitors treatment response.

Hepatitis B Serology Interpretation

HBsAg+ / Anti-HBs−

Active infection

HBsAg− / Anti-HBs+

Immune

HBsAg− / Anti-HBs−

Vaccinate

Anti-HBc+ only

Past infection

⚕️ A reactive HBsAg alone is not sufficient to guide treatment decisions. LFT, HBeAg, and viral load are needed to determine whether antiviral therapy is indicated and how urgently.

Preparation

How to Prepare for Your Hepatitis Test

Hepatitis B and C testing requires virtually no preparation — making it easy to combine with other blood tests in one visit.

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No Fasting or Special Preparation

Hepatitis serology tests are not affected by food, drink, or medications. You can eat normally before your test. If combining with LFT or glucose testing (recommended for hepatitis B carriers), fast 8 hours for those tests — hepatitis antibody tests themselves need no preparation.

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Know Your Vaccination History

Tell us whether you have received hepatitis B vaccines and how many doses. This information affects how we interpret an anti-HBs result. If you completed the vaccine series but anti-HBs is low (<10 IU/L), you may need a booster — an interpretation that requires knowing you were vaccinated.

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Results Are Strictly Confidential

Hepatitis status is sensitive medical information. We do not disclose your result to your employer, family, or partner without your explicit consent. For pre-employment HBsAg testing, we provide a clean certificate confirming the test was done — the actual result is discussed with you first.

Why Choose Us

Trusted Hepatitis Testing in Akoka & Beyond

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Full Panel — Not Just HBsAg

We offer the complete hepatitis B serology panel: HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc. This gives the full clinical picture — active infection, immunity status, and past exposure — rather than a single reactive/non-reactive answer that leaves patients without context.

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Combined LFT and Hepatitis Panel Available

Hepatitis B carriers need liver function testing alongside their hepatitis panel. We offer both in a single visit — one blood draw, comprehensive liver assessment. The combination tells you not just that you have hepatitis B but how much liver damage has occurred.

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Result Counselling Included

Hepatitis B results require explanation — HBsAg reactive does not mean the same thing as anti-HBc reactive only. We explain what your result means, what it doesn't mean, and what action it requires. You leave informed, not anxious.

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Referral Pathway for Positive Results

A positive HBsAg needs specialist follow-up. We provide results with a clear explanation of next steps and can direct you to appropriate gastroenterology or hepatology services — ensuring a positive result leads to care rather than confusion.

"I found out I was HBsAg positive at Mascot Healthcare. They sat with me, explained exactly what it meant, what it didn't mean, and what to do next. The counsellor was calm and knowledgeable. Within a week I had a hepatologist appointment and a viral load result. That guidance was everything."

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T. Obiajulu

Patient, Akoka · 2025

5,000+

Hepatitis Tests

4.9★

Patient Rating

B & C

Both Screened

Same-day

HBsAg Result

Book Your Hepatitis Test

Nigeria Has 20 Million Hepatitis B Cases. Test First. Treat Early.

Walk in or book ahead. Located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos.

Monday – Saturday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Closed Sundays & Public Holidays

08165866252 WhatsApp Us Book Online

Rapid HBsAg same-day · Confidential counselling included · Walk-ins welcome

HepatitisB & CTesting