Test Details: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. HBV is spread through contact with body fluids. Common forms of exposure to HBV often occur during childbirth and infancy, when sharing needles for intravenous drug use, or during unprotected sex. Hepatitis B testing looks for antigens, antibodies, or the genetic material of HBV. This test detects only IgM anti-HBc antibodies. IgM Hepatitis B core antibody is detected only in acute hepatitis B infections within six months of infection.