title: Hepatitis B: a strategy for evaluation and management.
abstract: In hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a single approach to treatment cannot be applied to all patients. Acute, adult-acquired HBV infection rarely requires treatment, whereas treatment for chronic infection should be based on the patient's clinical situation and test results. The ideal agent for treating hepatitis B does not exist, and trade-offs are the essence of agent selection. In last month's Journal (Cleve Clin J Med 2008; 75:881-889), we outlined the natural history and diagnosis of chronic HBV infection; in this article we outline its management.
authors.affiliation: University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Avera Center for Liver Disease/Transplant Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Hesham M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Elgouhari
authors.forename: Tarek I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Abu-Rajab Tamimi
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans