Secondary Prevention of Hepatitis B in the Netherlands

People with chronic hepatitis B virus infection remain infectious to others and are at risk of serious liver disease such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer later in life. In the Netherlands, hepatitis B is low endemic and acute infections are mainly transmitted through sexual contact. Chronic infections are found mostly in migrants born in countries where hepatitis B is relatively prevalent. Primary prevention of hepatitis B is possible through vaccination, but vaccination does not have an impact on pre-existing chronic infections. Screening for hepatitis B is a form of secondary prevention,... Mehr ...