[Diagnosis of viral hepatitis in 1991]

Viral hepatitis is a disease which is frequent but often asymptomatic and therefore remains unrecognized until a late stage. Hence the importance of biochemical and, chiefly, virological detection in populations at risk such as transfusion recipients, drug addicts or exposed professionals. Detection is based on systematic transaminase assays during check-ups or in the presence of warning signs. Any rise in transaminase level must lead to serological examinations in search of the A, B, C and Delta markers. Routine vaccination of subjects at risk against hepatitis B should considerably reduce the prevalence of this disease and of Delta hepatitis in the populations exposed.