Hepatitis

Clinical Resources

Hepatitis B Clinical Resources

• Hepatitis B Fact Sheet

• CDC Recommendations for Routine Testing and Follow-up for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection 

• Hepatitis B Vaccination, Screening and Linkage to Care: Best Practice Advice 

• CDC Interpretation of Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results – A quick and easy reference table

• Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety (NTDS) -  Targeting Zero Infections: Hepatitis C Detection, Prevention and Treatment 

• False positivity following hepatitis B vaccination - “Transient HBsAg positivity can occur up to 18 days following vaccination (up to 52 days among hemodialysis patients) and is clinically insignificant” ^1,2 

1. Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), January 12,2018/67(1); 1-31. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/rr/rr6701a1.htm. Accessed 2/2/19.

2. Calisti G, Herman O, Powley M, Haque T. Persistence of hepatitis B surface antigen in blood in a chronic haemodialysis patient following vaccination booster. BMJ Case Rep 2014;2014(jun10 1):bcr2013202191

Reporting Resources

Viral Hepatitis

“Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis Reporting Requirements

Viral hepatitis seroconversions and other infectious diseases MUST BE REPORTED to appropriate state or local public health officials , per the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Program Interpretive Guidance Version 1.1, tag number V637 . Specific reporting methods and contact information for Pennsylvania and Delaware are provided below. All known and suspected seroconversions of Hepatitis B and C must also be reported to the Network as soon as possible.

State Resources

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Viral, acute and chronic cases of Hepatitis are reportable within 5 workdays for health care practitioners and health care facilities

• How to Report Patients with Hepatitis

  • Call the Certification and Survey Division (717) 783-1379 OR

  • Call your local health department (View an alphabetical list of State Health Centers in your county)

• Advisory: Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Infections - Update

  • The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is releasing the following advisory to healthcare providers, “Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Infections - Update.” This is a statewide follow up to Health Advisory #429. Please report any suspected clusters of hepatitis A by calling DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department. Additionally, all cases of acute hepatitis A should be reported via PA-NEDSS.

• Additional Links 

  • Pennsylvania’s county and municipal health department websites can be found on the PA Department of Health’s webpage: County and Municipal Health Departments

  • PA Department of Health resources for Hepatitis  A, B and C

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services

All Delaware physicians, laboratories and other health care providers are  required by regulations to report patients with hepatitis to the Division of Public Health. Reporting enables appropriate public health follow-up for your patients, helps identify outbreaks, and provides a better understanding of disease trends in Delaware. 

• Hepatitis A, B and C Fact Sheets

• Hepatitis C Reporting

• How to Report Patients with Hepatitis

  • Complete a Hepatitis C Case Report Form (PDF)

  • Print the PDF document 

  • Complete and fax to the address on the form

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Delaware Hepatitis C Program Office by calling (302) 744-1050 or by visiting the website. 

CDC Resources

Division of Viral Hepatitis