ADEX/CDCA Florida Laws and Rules for Dentistry and Dental Hygiene 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Being sero-positive for HBSAg indicates that a person is infected with the hepatitis B virus surface antigen, which is a marker of ongoing infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The presence of HBSAg in the bloodstream signifies that the virus is actively replicating, thereby reflecting the individual's current infectious state regarding hepatitis B. This is an important clinical marker used in the diagnosis and management of hepatitis B.

The mention of hep-B e-antigen in the answer suggests a deeper level of infection severity and activity but the essential concept here is the detection of HBSAg itself. When someone tests positive for HBSAg, it confirms they have the virus, rather than being immune, infected with a different virus, or having a different hepatitis virus.

Factors related to the incorrect choices help highlight the specificity of HBSAg. For instance, hepatitis A is a different virus altogether, and testing positive for its antigens would not result in positive HBSAg. Additionally, being immune to hepatitis B would typically reflect sero-positive for antibodies rather than the surface antigen itself. Lastly, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is unrelated to HBSAg, indicating that the detection of hepatitis B is very specific and distinct from other viral infections