In Associate Professor Jill Benson's early career, hepatitis B was regarded as a 'rare' illness.

It was thought to either remain dormant in those who were 'healthy carriers' or caused cirrhosis or liver cancer without any possible remedy. It was either feared or ignored.

Much has changed in the last 40 years and the role of GPs in monitoring and caring for people with chronic hepatitis B has grown with along with knowledge and treatment.