title: Acute hepatitis B: the limits of maintaining patient confidentiality.
abstract: Household contacts of hepatitis B (HBV) are at risk of infection, and guidelines advise vaccination of these contacts in addition to sexual partners (along with traditional high-risk groups). We present a case of intrafamilial transmission of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) following failure to self-disclose status to family members. Complex confidentiality issues can arise following a diagnosis of HBV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genitourinary and HIV Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast, Belfast, UK. quinnkj@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: McCarty
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Quah
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005192:Family Health; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male