Author information

¹Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Children's Harbor Building, 1600 7th Avenue South, Room 308, Birmingham, AL 35223, USA.

²Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, 1917 Clinic Dewberry, 3220 5th Avenue South, Room 1044A, Birmingham, AL 35222, USA. Electronic address: rfranco@uabmc.edu.

Abstract

Ongoing sexual transmission presents a significant barrier to viral hepatitis control. Endemic transmission of hepatitis A virus continues through communities of men with male sex partners, despite vaccine availability. Increased incidence of hepatitis B virus from 2014-2018 prompted expanded vaccination guidelines, but uptake and physician awareness remain poor. Hepatitis C virus while strongly associated with injection drug use, is also transmitted by high-risk sexual contact. Despite universal screening recommendations and curative treatment, incidence continues to increase. Even with safe and highly effective vaccinations or treatments, sexual transmission of viral hepatitides must be addressed to achieve disease elimination.