CDC now suggesting that all adults get tested for Hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime

The CDC estimates more than half of people who have the hepatitis B virus don’t know they’re infected. According to a report released Thursday, the organization now recommends one-time screening for all adults and not just high-risk patients, calling these screenings "cost-effective and result in improved health outcomes."

Dr. Stephen Threlkeld is the Medical Director of Infectious Diseases for Baptist Memorial Health Care. He says the CDC must consider that not everyone receives their vaccines, like the HBV vaccine, for a variety of reasons.

"I have one person or two people in my waiting room, the CDC has 300 million in their waiting room at all times." he said. "They have to make judgments based on health risks, mortality rates of diseases, how good our abilities to prevent them ans how good our therapies are."

According to the CDC, high-risk populations include incarcerated people, those with a history of sexually transmitted diseases, and those with a history of hepatitis C infections. While the report states that most adults get tested at least once in their lifetime, the organization also suggests that "high-risk" individuals get tested periodically. Threlkeld says those that test positive have treatment options.

"We can't really cure it... but you can keep it at bay and you can cut down the amount of virus that's floating around in the blood and the liver." he said. "If we can find those folks who have chronic Hepatitis B, then we can utilize those medications to sort of really beat back the virus."

While the report suggests only those over 18 get tested at least once, Threlkheld says all age groups could benefit from being screened.