Mindy & Betty's Medical Mysteries

Testing and Window Periods

  • BBV testing is recommended 3-6 monthly depending on the person's risk. If the person is at higher risk, more frequent testing may be recommended. Risk of hepatitis B includes:
    • High risk behaviours (unprotected sex, IVDU, sharing injecting equipment)
    • Anyone from an area of higher prevalence is higher risk
    • Anyone with a clinical presentation associated with a BBV is considered higher risk
    • People with multiple sexual partners
    • MSM
    • People who have experienced sexual assault
    • People engaging in transactional sex, selling sex, commercial sex work (CSE)
  • The window period for hepatitis B is 3-6 months
  • A venous blood sample is considered "gold standard" for testing, but hepatitis B can also be tested using a DBST (dry blood spot test)