title: Chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: All providers, regardless of specialty, should perform screening for HBV on high-risk persons, especially those born in endemic countries. The primary care physician can perform the initial evaluation and follow-up of patients with chronic HBV by following the algorithm in this article and consulting with specialists when appropriate. Chronically infected patients should be followed on a regular basis, preferably every 6 months, with liver function tests, and when appropriate, HBV DNA levels. Those who meet the criteria for high risk for HCC should undergo liver ultrasound every 6 months. Powerful antiviral medications are available that can suppress but not cure HBV and result in resolution of liver inflammation and fibrosis, even cirrhosis, as well as decrease the risk of developing HCC. They should be used in those patients who meet the criteria outlined in the practice guidelines of the major liver societies.
authors.affiliation: Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 4315 Diplomacy Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA. Electronic address: bmcmahon@anthc.org.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D019468:Disease Management; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
keywords: Chronic hepatitis B; Management; Natural history