Practical guidelines for assessing patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen.

In assessing the patient the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) the physician must decide on the basis of physical findings, results of laboratory tests and biopsy, when indicated, whether the patient is an asymptomatic carrier or has acute or chronic hepatitis. Asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg must be educated in personal hygiene and the possibility of transmission, should not be allowed to donate blood or breast-feed and should not work with blood products for human use or pharmaceutical products designated for intravenous use. However, it is otherwise not necessary to advise these individuals to change their profession.