Screening is done to find a problem and treat it early. Tests are given to people who do not have symptoms but who may be at high risk.
Screening Guidelines
Pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis at their first prenatal visit. People at high risk may also be screened. This may include those who:
- Work in certain jobs such as healthcare or public safety
- Live in or visit places where hepatitis is common
- Have certain sexual practices, such as:
- Multiple sex partners
- Men who have sex with men
- Use IV drugs or share needles
- Are (or were) in prison
- Have certain diseases such as HIV, or liver or kidney disease
- Are blood, organ, or tissue donors
- Were born to mothers who had hepatitis
All people born between 1945 and 1965 should have a 1-time screening test for hepatitis C.
References
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-hepatitis-b-virus-hbv-infection. Updated May Accessed May 3, 2022.
Chronic hepatitis C infection. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-hepatitis-c-infection. Accessed May 3, 2022.
Overview of chronic hepatitis. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/hepatitis/overview-of-chronic-hepatitis. Accessed May 3, 2022.