Hepatitis in refugees who settle in Australia

Abstract

BACKGROUND The World Health Organisation estimates that 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis B and about 180 million people infected with hepatitis C worldwide. More than 350 million have chronic hepatitis B and 130 million have chronic hepatitis C infection. Most infections of hepatitis B and C are from unsafe injection practices, both medical and nonmedical; from household contacts; or, in the case of hepatitis B, from ‘vertical’ transmission from mother to child. OBJECTIVE This article discusses screening and management of hepatitis B and C in refugees who settle in Australia. DISCUSSION Most people carrying hepatitis will be asymptomatic with infection detected by screening. Refugees need counselling, education and support to come to terms with the implications of hepatitis B and C for both themselves and their families. In Australia both viruses can be treated in those with active infection and general practitioners can be involved in diagnosis, follow up and shared care management.