Are You at Risk for Hepatitis B?

Some people are at higher risk for contracting Hepatitis B. Simple blood tests can identify if you have been exposed to this virus. If you are a part of one of the high-risk groups noted below, you may wish to talk with your health care provider about obtaining blood tests to detect Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis B core antibody, prior to Hepatitis B vaccination.

These tests can identify pre-existing immunity (where vaccination is not indicated) or chronic active infection (where you may need ongoing health monitoring and be infectious to others).

Persons at higher than average risk of Hepatitis B exposure include:

• Those born in, or who have spent extensive time in an endemic area (China, Southeast Asia, eastern Europe, the Central Asian republics, Middle East, Africa, the Amazon basin, some Caribbean islands, the Pacific Islands, and Alaskan natives).
• Those who have family members who are Hepatitis B carriers.
• Those with a history of intravenous drug use and who have shared needles, even once.
• Hemophiliacs who have received clotting factors.
• Persons who have been on dialysis.
• Persons who have received blood transfusions.
• Men who have sex with men.
• Persons with a history of sexually transmitted infection.
• Persons who have had two or more sexual partners in the last six months.
• Persons whose sexual partners are known Hepatitis B carriers.

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