Acute viral hepatitis in American soldiers in Korea

To evaluate acute viral hepatitis in American troops stationed in South Korea, we retrospectively reviewed the hospital charts and laboratory records of patients who had a discharge diagnosis of hepatitis from January through September 1984. We then prospectively evaluated patients hospitalized because of acute hepatitis from Oct 1, 1984 through Aug 15, 1985. Seventy-five percent of cases were acute hepatitis B, and 25% were hepatitis A infection. Heterosexual transmission from the indigenous population appears to be the most frequently associated risk factor.