ANTIVIRAL THERAPIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS

Abstract

This study is a narrative literature review that aims to critically analyze contemporary antiviral therapeutic approaches and public health surveillance models for the management of chronic viral hepatitis, specifically those caused by hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses. The research was conducted in the PubMed database, selecting clinical guidelines, international consensus statements, and economic evaluations published in the last five years, and analyzing the clinical, virological, and pharmacoeconomic impact of these conditions. The results demonstrate that, with regard to the treatment of hepatitis C, the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has established a highly effective model of virological cure through short-duration regimens. In contrast, in the treatment of hepatitis B, the transition from therapies with nucleoside (t)ides (NAs) to finite-duration treatment strategies and combination regimens—namely with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and new-generation RNA-silencing agents—in order to achieve functional cure through sustained elimination of HBsAg. It is concluded that pharmacological innovations, while essential, need to be complemented by a restructuring of public health policies, including the expansion of population-based screening and the simplification of treatment criteria.