A positive Hepatitis B surface antibody indicates what?

A positive Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) result indicates immunity to the Hepatitis B virus. This immunity can be a result of either vaccination against Hepatitis B or recovery from a past Hepatitis B infection. When the body successfully responds to the Hepatitis B virus, either through natural infection or vaccination, it produces these antibodies as part of the immune response.

This positive result is crucial because it confirms that the individual has an adequate immune response to protect against future infections from Hepatitis B. Therefore, interpreting this result as indicating immunity to Hepatitis B is essential in clinical practice, as it informs healthcare decisions regarding vaccination needs and the risk of infection in the individual.