The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated recommendations for hepatitis B testing for all adults. The updated guidance specifies that all adults in the U.S should be tested for HBV at least once in their lifetime. This is the first time the recommendations for HBV testing have been updated since 2008.
The report, which was released last month, recommended moving from a risk-based approach to a universal approach in order to increase testing rates and reduce chronic disease and premature death.
Previously, HBV screening was recommended only for those who faced increased risk for infection, such as people who inject drugs, pregnant people, and those with HIV. The updated screening guidelines widened the recommendations further to recommend that “anyone who requests HBV testing should receive it, regardless of disclosure of risk, because many persons might be reluctant to disclose stigmatizing risks.”
