Acute hepatitis B: the limits of maintaining patient confidentiality.

Household contacts of hepatitis B (HBV) are at risk of infection, and guidelines advise vaccination of these contacts in addition to sexual partners (along with traditional high-risk groups). We present a case of intrafamilial transmission of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) following failure to self-disclose status to family members. Complex confidentiality issues can arise following a diagnosis of HBV infection.