Screening for Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Who needs to be screened for hepatitis B?
The college wants to ensure the good health of all its students and requires HBV screening (a blood test) for high-risk individuals. All new students who meet the high-risk criteria will be encouraged to submit to a blood test within their first month on campus. Persons shown to have chronic HBV infection will be evaluated further and offered management, counseling and treatment options.
What are the effects of HBV?
Although many people exposed to the virus recover completely, chronic infections can lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer and death.
How is HBV transmitted?
HBV is transmitted through activities that involve contact with blood or blood-derived fluids. Such activities can include:
- unprotected sex with an HBV-infected partner
- shared needles used for injection of illegal drugs
- work in health-care fields (medical, dental, laboratory, or other) that entails direct exposure to human blood
- receiving blood transfusions that have not been screened for HBV
- having dental, medical, or cosmetic (e.g., tattooing or body piercing) procedures with needles or other equipment that are contaminated with HBV.
In addition, open skin lesions, such as those due to impetigo, scabies, or scratched insect bites, can play a role in HBV transmission if direct exposure to wound exudates from HBV-infected persons occurs.
Where is HBV infection prevalent?
The risk of HBV infection is considered higher in countries where the prevalence of chronic HBV infection is intermediate or high. Follow this link for a map showing areas of risk for chronic Hepatitis B infection.
