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 chronic 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 health care worker)
- persons infected with HIV
Guidelines and Recommendations
Recommendations for Identification and Public Health Management of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, MMWR 2008;57(RR-8)
Recommendations for Routine Testing and Vaccination for Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection
Printable document pdf icon[PDF – 2 page]
Related Map: Geographic Distribution of Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection — Worldwide, 2006 pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]
Patient Education Tools
| Title | English | Other Languages |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
|
Hepatitis B – General Fact Sheet
|
PDFpdf icon | Spanishpdf icon |
| Chronic Hepatitis B | ||
|
Hepatitis B – Are You at Risk?
|
PDFpdf icon | Chinesepdf icon |
|
When Someone Close to You has Hepatitis B
|
PDFpdf icon | Chinesepdf icon |
Serology
Interpretation of Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results – Table pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]
Online Serology Training – Hepatitis A–E
Clinical Guidelines
Identification and Management of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)–Positive Persons
Guidance for vaccination providers on identification and management of persons with chronic HBV infection, MMWR 2006,55(RR-16), Appendix C
AASLD Practice Guidelinesexternal icon
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
CDC guidance on the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, including Hepatitis B
Specific Sites and Tools
Hepatitis B Foundation – Clinical Trialsexternal icon
National, nonprofit organization dedicated to persons whose lives are affected by Hepatitis B