Viral Hepatitis

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Stepwise Approach for Detecting, Evaluating, and Treating Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection provides recommendations for the medical management of federal inmates with chronic hepatitis B, or who are otherwise at risk of infection. The treatment of chronic hepatitis B in pregnancy or with hepatocellular carcinoma is beyond the scope of this guideline. For a more in-depth discussion of vaccination strategies and management of blood and body fluid exposures, the reader should refer to the BOP Clinical Practice Guidelines for those topics.

This MMWR report describes results of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health surveillance initiative to collect detailed information on hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases reported during 2007-2009 among 15-24-year olds, and to examine the data for trends through 2009. The results reveal the continued increase in rates of newly reported HCV infection among this age group. Cases were reported from all areas of the state, occurred predominantly among non-Hispanic white persons, and were equally distributed among male and females.

This report summarizes results of an investigation in which HCV was transmitted when a transplant facility mistakenly used a blood vessel conduit from an HCV-seropositive donor in a seronegative recipient in May 2009. In November of 2009, a second transplant facility identified two cases of potential hepatitis transmission from vessel conduits.

This report discusses the investigation of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) outbreak in an assisted living facility. The outbreak occurred because of the staff’s use of unsafe practices, including sharing reusable fingerstick lancing devices approved for single patient use only, and shared use of blood glucose meters without cleaning and disinfection between patients.

This article reports on a matched case-control study and viral analysis that examined the role of sexual transmission of Hepatics C virus (HCV) among HIV-infected men who have sex with men. In all, 22 case-patients and 53 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires regarding sexual practices and drug-use behaviors during the 12 months preceding diagnosis or preceding the questionnaire.

This video contains general information on the liver and its function,and how hepatitis affects the liver. The transcript video is included. This video can only be viewed with Windows Media Player version 10 or Real One Player.

This slide set discusses use of the Ryan White Care Act (RWCA) to provide treatment of hepatitis C coinfection in persons living with HIV. It presents an overview of viral hepatitis, the basics of hepatitis C compared with hepatitis A and B, acute and chronic infection, prevention, HCV treatment and side effects of treatment, treatment decisions,, barriers to treatment, and increasing access to treatment through the RWCA.

This report presents guidelines for diagnosing, evaluating, and treating hepatitis C in persons incarcerated in Federal government prisons. It explains the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), acute HCV infection and its treatment; chronic HCV infection; and a stepwise approach for detecting, evaluating, and treating chronic HCV infection. It discusses the direct-acting antiviral agents for treatment of chronic HCV infection that were FDA approved in May 2011, and their use, the indications and contraindications for triple therapy, managing side effects, and monitoring treatment response.

This video discusses Hepatitis A and B viral infection. It explains the effect of both diseases on the liver, how they are transmitted, and how they can be prevented, including getting vaccinated. The transcript of the video is included. This video can only be viewed with Windows Media Player version 10 or Real One Player.

This poster states three important facts people should know about hepatitis C: it's a leading cause of liver cancer, millions of Americans have it, but don't know it, and treatments can eliminate the virus. The poster advises individuals to talk to their doctor about getting tested. The poster is also available in a smaller size, 8.5" x 11", at http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/Media/PDFs/Poster-Facts.pdf.