Management of occupational exposures to hepatitis C virus: current practice and controversies.
Unlike hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus, there currently are no immunization or chemoprophylactic interventions available to prevent infection after an occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus (HCV). A "Reality Check" session was held at the 4th Decennial International Conference on Nosocomial and Healthcare-Associated Infections to gather information on current practices related to management of occupational exposures to HCV, generate discussion on controversial issues, and identify areas for future research. Infection control professionals in attendance were knowledgeable in most issues addressed regarding the management of occupational exposures to HCV. Areas of controversy included the use of antiviral therapy early in the course of HCV infection and the appropriate administrative management of an HCV-infected healthcare worker.
Alvarado-Ramy
F
F
Hospital Infections Program, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Alter
M J
MJ
Bower
W
W
Henderson
D K
DK
Sohn
A H
AH
Sinkowitz-Cochran
R L
RL
Jarvis
W R
WR
D019983:Guideline Adherence; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic