USPSTF Reinforces Their Recommendation to Screen for Hepatitis B in Adolescents and Adults at High Risk

Background

The USPSTF has updated its 2014 recommendation to screen for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in high-risk adolescents and adults (NEJM JW Gen Med Jul 1 2014 and Ann Intern Med 2014; 161:58).

Patients at high risk include the following:

• People born in countries or areas with HBV prevalence ≥2%

• People who were not vaccinated at birth and were born in the U.S. to parents who were born in countries or areas with prevalence ≥8%

• HIV-positive people

• Intravenous drug users

• Men who have sex with men

• People who live in households with, or have sex with, HBV-positive people

Key Recommendations

• The Task Force recommends screening patients at high risk for HBV infection, including t…