[Occupational medicine significance of hepatitis C in health care employees].
Transmission of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is similar to the one observed with hepatitis B virus. The most important route of infection in health care personnel is by needlestick injury. In the course of a literature review 44 publications on HCV prevalence or incidence among hospital employees were studied and an overall transmission incidence of 2.2% was found. As none of the publications dealt with the problem of chronic Hepatitis C, 245 persons with elevated transaminases occupied Freiburg University Hospital were tested for HCV antibodies. 3 out of 82 non-medical professionals and 19 out of 163 health care workers were anti HCV positive (RR = 3.22; p < 0.05). Charwomen in medical departments, nurses and dentists had a higher relative risk than physicians and technical assistants. As no HCV vaccine is available the only way of HCV-prevention is compliance with universal precautions.
Hofmann
F
F
Bergische Universität/Gesamthochschule Wuppertal, Lehrstuhl für Arbeitsphysiologie, Arbeitsmedizin und Infektionsschutz.
Michaelis
M
M
Rieger
M A
MA
Hasselhorn
H M
HM
Berthold
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors