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Sexual Health

Hepatitis B Virus

Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, the rate of acute hepatitis B (HBV) cases increased 11% from 2014 (0.9 per 100,000) to 2018 (1.0 per 100,000). The rate of infection increased even more dramatically in states most affected by the opioid crisis.

Infectious disease test list(Opens in a new window)

Hepatitis B by the Numbers1

  • An estimated 862,000 people were living with hepatitis B in 2016
  • There were 3,322 reported acute cases in 2018
  • There were 21,600 estimated acute infections in 2018
  • Between 2014 and 2018, there was an 11% increase in the rate of acute cases
  • Over 50% of acute cases were among 30 to 49 year-olds in 2018
  • Up to 70% of chronic hepatitis B infections in the US are among non-US-born populations

Even with a safe and effective vaccine, the numbers still paint a problematic picture. That’s where we want to help.

 

Two risk factors associated with rising acute hepatitis B cases in the US are:1

  1. Injection drug use (IDU)
  2. Sexual transmission

Patient Management2

As you know, health screening is one of the keys to precise care and treatment. The CDC recommends that the following people be screened for HBV:

  • People born in countries with an HBV prevalence of ≥2%
  • People born in the United States not vaccinated as infants whose parents were born in regions with high rates of BV infection (HBsAg prevalence of ≥8%)
  • Men who have sex with men
  • People who inject drugs
  • People with HIV
  • Household and sexual contacts of HBV-infected people
  • People requiring immunosuppressive therapy 
  • People with end-stage renal disease (including hemodialysis patients)
  • Blood and tissue donors
  • People with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels (>19 IU/L for women and >30 IU/L for men)
  •  Pregnant women (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] only is recommended)
  • Infants born to HBV-infected mothers (HBsAg and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen [anti-HBs] only are recommended)

Hepatitis B Virus Screening for the Pregnant Patient: An Algorithm

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More information on test options and our STI screening portfolio

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Contact us to learn more about Labcorp’s women’s health testing and services 

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References:

  1. Department of Health and Human Services.  National Strategic Plan 2021-2025.  Available at
    https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/Viral-Hepatitis-National-Strategic-Plan-2021-2025.pdf.  Accessed, May 12, 2022.

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for Health Professionals.  Available at:  https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/hbvfaq.htm.  Accessed on May 12, 2022.

  3. Screening Pregnant Women for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection and Screening and Referral Algorithm for hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection among Pregnant Women; https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/perinatalxmtn.htm#section2; accessed November 23, 2021.