Guidelines on hepatitis B and C testing

Overview

These are the first WHO guidelines on testing for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and complement published guidance by WHO on the prevention, care and treatment of chronic HCV and HBV infection.

These guidelines outline the public health approach to strengthening and expanding current testing practices for HBV and HCV infection, and are intended for use across age groups and populations.

Testing and diagnosis of chronic HBV and HCV infection is the gateway for access to both prevention as well as care and treatment services. Early identification of persons with chronic HBV or HCV infection enables them to receive the necessary care and treatment to prevent or delay progression of liver disease. Testing also provides an opportunity to link to interventions to reduce transmission, through counselling on risk behaviours and provision of prevention commodities (such as sterile needles and syringes) and hepatitis B vaccination.