How often is hepatitis B/C screening performed?

• A. Annual screening for everyone
• B. Every 5 years
• C. 1-time screening/periodic screening for high risk
• D. Never screen again

Answer: (C)

Screening frequency for hepatitis B and C is based on exposure risk. Most people don’t need repeated testing every year; you’re typically tested at most once in a lifetime, and if you still have ongoing risk factors, you should be re-tested periodically. This is why the best approach is to screen one time, with periodic screening for those whose risk remains active—such as ongoing injection drug use, repeated exposure to infected partners, or certain occupational exposures. Screening everyone annually would be unnecessary and costly, and never screening again would miss new infections from new exposures. The one-time test, plus periodic testing for high-risk individuals, best fits how these infections spread and are detected.