Hepatitis B and hepatitis C: occupational considerations for the anesthesiologist.
Anesthesiologists routinely are exposed to occupational hazards, such as hepatitis B and C, which are potentially lethal. The development of a vaccine has virtually eliminated the hazard for hepatitis B, if the anesthesiologist undergoes a successful vaccination series. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, which ultimately leads to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. The most likely transmission source to anesthesiologists is their accidental exposure to the blood of patients infected with hepatitis C (2% of the US population). Early diagnosis and pharmacologic treatment of hepatitis B and C can significantly diminish or even cure these diseases.
Department of Anesthesiology, Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, CA 95124, USA. hojacks@aol.com
Stephen H
SH
Jackson
Eddie C
EC
Cheung
D000776:Anesthesiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014611:Vaccination
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines