Publication
Title
Prevention of viral hepatitis (B and C) reassessed
Author
Abstract
As hepatitis B and C share modes of transmission, their combined occurrence is not uncommon, particularly in areas where both viruses are endemic and in individuals at high-risk of parenteral infection. Both viral hepatitis infections form an important global public health problem, responsible for over half a billion chronic infections worldwide. Their distinctive characteristics impact upon their epidemiology, transmission, and the success of the different prevention strategies. Since several decades a safe and effective vaccine has been available to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Universal vaccination is the cornerstone of global HBV control. Despite major success, vaccine uptake is hampered, and increasing efforts are required to eliminate acute and chronic hepatitis B. Unlike hepatitis C and HIV, HBV has not captured sufficient attention from policymakers, advocacy groups, or the general public: a major challenge for the future. Although progress has been made in the development of an hepatitis C vaccine, short-term successes are not expected. Even without a vaccine, successes can be reported in the field of hepatitis C due to e.g. implementation of universal precautionary measures in health-care settings, screening of blood and blood products, and identification and counselling of infected people. Despite important efforts, transmission in injecting drug users is increasing.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Baillière's best practice and research : clinical gastroenterology. - London, 1999, currens
Publication
London : Baillière Tindall , 2008
ISSN
1521-6918 [print]
1532-1916 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.BPG.2008.11.008
Volume/pages
22 :6 (2008) , p. 1009-1029
ISI
000263789700003
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 20.04.2009
Last edited 12.04.2023
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