On World Hepatitis Day, NICE issued a new quality standard aimed at preventing transmission of hepatitis B and improving the lives of people living with the condition.
The majority of new cases arise in migrant populations (who contract it abroad), people who inject drugs or people who have unprotected sex. Hepatitis B is between 50 and 100 times more infectious than HIV, making it a considerable public health concern.
NICE’s standard includes a statement ensuring testing and vaccination is made more accessible to those at risk by offering it at sexual health clinics, drug services, immigration centres and GP practices taking new registrations. The standard further stresses that anyone who tests positive for hepatitis B should be referred immediately to a specialist.
Women who test positive at antenatal screenings should have specialist assessment within 6 weeks, allowing the use of an antiviral treatment (tenofovir) to reduce the risk of the baby becoming infected. Babies born to hepatitis B positive mothers should receive a vaccine within 24 hours of birth and then periodically up to 12 months with a booster at preschool age.
The standard also includes statements around providing personalised care plans, ensuring those with hepatitis B are able to live better with the condition.
Professor Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Health and Social Care at NICE, said: “In some people, hepatitis B leads to long-term liver damage or even liver cancer. However, we know that it is both preventable and curable. This new quality standard sets out prioritised statements for the NHS to ensure appropriate services are available to identify and treat people with hepatitis B.”
