title: Doctor-to-patient transmission of viral hepatitis B: is it a problem, is there a solution?
abstract: It is well-established that hepatitis B may be transmitted from surgeons to their patients. Clear strategies are needed to reduce the risk of transmission whilst not discriminating unnecessarily against surgeons who may pose no risks to their patients. This review outlines the current position and provides a blueprint for action that may reduce the risks to patients whilst minimizing the impact on practising surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatogastroenterology, University Hospital Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Schalm
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: van Wijngaarden
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D013502:General Surgery; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D019259:Lamivudine