Hepatitis B Testing and Public Health
Management of
Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
On September 19, 2008, CDC published updated and expanded guidelines for testing for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and recommendations for public health evaluation and management for chronically infected persons and their contacts. Serologic testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the primary way to identify persons with chronic infection with HBV infection.
Testing for HBsAg now is recommended for:
- persons born in geographic regions with HBsAg prevalence of ≥2%
- US born persons not vaccinated as infants whose parents were born in geographic regions with HBsAg prevalence of ≥8%
- injection-drug users
- men who have sex with men
- persons with elevated ALT/AST of unknown etiology
- persons with selected medical conditions who require immunosuppressive therapy
Testing continues to be recommended for:
- pregnant women
- infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers
- household contacts and sex partners of HBV-infected persons
- persons who are the source of blood or body fluid exposures that might warrant postexposure prophylaxis (e.g., needlestick injury to a healthcare worker)
- persons infected with HIV
Guidelines and Recommendations
Two-page Summary Table: Recommendations for Routine Testing and Vaccination for Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection
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Related Map:
Geographic Distribution of Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection — Worldwide,
2006
Related Patient Education Tools
Hepatitis B - General Fact Sheet
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Chronic Hepatitis B - Information on Testing
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Serology
Interpretation of
Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results - Table
Online Serology Training - Hepatitis A–E
Clinical Guidelines
Guidance for vaccination providers on identification and management of persons with chronic HBV infection, MMWR 2006,55(RR-16), Appendix C
Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Hepatitis
B and C
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2006, Hepatitis B Chapter
CDC guidance on the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, including
hepatitis B
Specific Sites and Tools
Advancing the Clinical Treatment of
Hepatitis B Virus (ACT-HBV)
Hepatitis
B Foundation - Clinical Trials
National, nonprofit organization dedicated to persons whose lives are affected
by hepatitis B
Page last modified: September 18, 2008
Content source:
Division of Viral Hepatitis
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
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