Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 January 2015
Hepatitis B virus and HTLV-III are quite dissimilar in virology, organ tropism and clinical consequences. However, they are remarkably similar in epidemiology, modes of transmission, affected risk groups, and potentials for nosocomial infection. Presently, the two diseases pose much different problems for hospital epidemiologists. Over the past 10 years, the risks of nosocomial hepatitis B have dropped off sharply. In fact, hepatitis B is now theoretically a totally preventable disease. On the other hand, the epidemic of HTLV-III infection in high-risk groups continues unabated. The fear of acquiring infection has precipitated panic reactions among some groups of health care workers and the lay public.