Window Period & Hbc Igm Antibody

[HepCat26]

I noticed Cajim's repsonse to questions about the window period and it provoked a question of my own. If the window period is mere weeks after exposure, how can this be consistent with a 3-6 month (or longer) period for seroconversion? If, as in my case, the window period has not occurred months after exposure, does this impact the prognosis for prompt seroconversion for an acute case?

Also, I have seen documents that state that the Hbc Igm antibody are part of the differential diagnosis for acute Hep B..is this accurate? And what exactly is the distinction between Igm and IgG? I have never seen that explained....thx for your help

[HepCat26]

Thx, that does help with the IgM/IgG question. With respect to the "window period", I have reviewed many of the posts on the subject here and I think the problem is as follows. Many of the people are mistaking the incubation period with the window period. The former describes the period between infection and our ability to detect it or becoming symptomatic. My understanding is that the latter is a period unique to HepB where for a period during seroconversion, only the core antibody can be detected, after which the anti-HBS should appear if one is to become immune. I believe I am at that point currently. I am negative for everything except the core and the e-antibody. Thx for your help and glad to hear that you recovered!

[britgirl477]

Hi HepCat,

About 2 years ago I was diagnosed with acute HepB. And you are asking questions that at the time I had problems understanding too. The IgM antibody is the one as Bram and Gen say, that you want to have in your blood results, as this is indeed the thing that shows you are still in the acute stage of HBV. If that goes and you are left with HBsAg +, IgG antibody +, then you are classed as chronic. So for 8/9 months I was sitting praying for my IgM to stay with me...which it thankfully did. It starts to clear a few weeks after the HBsAg goes completely. Thus meaning an acute HBVer is left with only the IgG antibody and the anti-HBs. Hope this is clearer.
Brit

[genx7]

Igm is a subclass of Igg. Igm is used to determine a chronic or acute stage. Also the window period for the surface antibodies can be from few weeks to 6 months.

[bram44]

IgM is used to determine whether a person has chronic or acute infection.

This has more information -
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB-Introduction--Welcome-Page/show/34?cid=153

BTW - we still answer "windows" question on this forum?