Which groups should be screened for hepatitis B virus infection according to USPSTF?

Which groups should be screened for hepatitis B virus infection according to USPSTF?

• A. Adolescents and adults at increased risk for infection.
• B. All adolescents regardless of risk.
• C. Only pregnant women.
• D. Only adults over age 65.

Answer: (A)

Screening for hepatitis B infection is focused on people who have a higher risk of being infected. The USPSTF recommends testing asymptomatic adolescents and adults who have risk factors such as injection drug use, men who have sex with men, multiple sexual partners, household contact with someone with HBV, travel to areas with high HBV prevalence, or HIV infection. Detecting infection early helps prevent transmission and allows appropriate care or vaccination for those who are not already immune. In contrast, universal screening isn’t recommended for all every adolescent or adult in the general population, and restricting screening to only pregnant women or only adults over 65 would miss other at-risk individuals. Therefore, the best grouping to screen, per USPSTF guidance, is adolescents and adults at increased risk for infection.

Screening for hepatitis B infection is focused on people who have a higher risk of being infected. The USPSTF recommends testing asymptomatic adolescents and adults who have risk factors such as injection drug use, men who have sex with men, multiple sexual partners, household contact with someone with HBV, travel to areas with high HBV prevalence, or HIV infection. Detecting infection early helps prevent transmission and allows appropriate care or vaccination for those who are not already immune. In contrast, universal screening isn’t recommended for all every adolescent or adult in the general population, and restricting screening to only pregnant women or only adults over 65 would miss other at-risk individuals. Therefore, the best grouping to screen, per USPSTF guidance, is adolescents and adults at increased risk for infection.