Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)
infection can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality. Although treatment is not considered curative,
antiviral treatment, monitoring, and
liver cancer surveillance can reduce morbidity and mortality. Effective
vaccines to prevent
hepatitis B are available. This report updates and expands CDC's previously published Recommendations for Identification and Public Health Management of Persons with
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (MMWR Recomm Rep 2008;57[No. RR-8]) regarding screening for HBV
infection in the United States. New recommendations include
hepatitis B screening using three laboratory tests at least once during a lifetime for adults aged ≥18 years. The report also expands risk-based testing recommendations to include the following populations, activities, exposures, or conditions associated with increased risk for HBV
infection: persons incarcerated or formerly incarcerated in a jail, prison, or other detention setting; persons with a history of
sexually transmitted infections or multiple sex partners; and persons with a history of hepatitis C virus
infection. In addition, to provide increased access to testing, anyone who requests HBV testing should receive it, regardless of disclosure of risk, because many persons might be reluctant to disclose stigmatizing risks.