[Various sero-epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis in general medicine: results of a pilot survey performed in Belgium].

A study was made of 110 cases of viral hepatitis diagnosed by general practitioners between 31 May 1982 and 30 June 1984. Hepatitis A was diagnosed in 53 patients, hepatitis B in 18 patients, hepatitis of both types A and B in one patient, and--by exclusion--hepatitis non-A non-B in 38 patients. Hepatitis A appears to be generally acquired by contact with infected persons or by travelling in endemic regions. In more than 50% of the hepatitis B cases, a hospital stay and/or ambulatory treatment were mentioned. All patients with hepatitis A became negative for anti-HA/IgM within 9 months after the diagnosis. 30% of the patients with hepatitis B remained positive for HBs Ag 9 months after diagnosis.