What does Anti-HBs indicate in a hepatitis B patient?

Anti-HBs, or hepatitis B surface antibody, indicates that a person has developed immunity to hepatitis B, either through recovery from an infection or through vaccination. The presence of Anti-HBs signifies that the immune system has successfully responded to the hepatitis B virus (HBV), effectively clearing the infection and providing protection against future infections.

In the context of a hepatitis B patient, testing positive for Anti-HBs typically follows the seroconversion that occurs after resolution of an acute infection, where the body has fought off the virus and developed antibodies as a result. This is crucial information because it reassures both the patient and healthcare provider that the individual is no longer infectious and has a level of immunity.

Thus, the interpretation of Anti-HBs as indicative of recovery and immunity aligns with the established understanding of hepatitis B immunity, confirming that the correct answer accurately reflects the clinical significance of this antibody in managing patients with hepatitis B.