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 health care worker)
- persons infected with HIV
Two-page Summary Table: Recommendations for Routine Testing and Vaccination for Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection Color 
[PDF - 1 page] Black-White [PDF - 1 page]
Related Map: Geographic Distribution of Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection undefined Worldwide, 2006 [PDF - 1 page]
Other languages: [En Español] [中文]
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Hepatitis B can lead to serious health problems including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and death.
Other languages: [En Español] [中文 ]