HCV infection: aspects of epidemiology and transmission relevant to oral health care workers.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common worldwide problem, giving rise to long-term viral carriage and risk of chronic hepatic disease, hepatic malignancy and a wide spectrum of immunologically mediated disorders. The present report describes relevant data suggesting that nosocomial transmission to oral health care workers is unlikely, but in view of medical and occupational consequences of such infection, and the absence of long-term effective treatment or vaccine, the oral surgery profession must continue to be vigilant and to maintain the highest standards of infection control procedures to minimize the possible acquisition of HCV during dental treatment.
Departamento de Clínica e Odontologia Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. jleao@ufpe.br
J C
JC
Leao
C G
CG
Teo
S R
SR
Porter
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology*; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000821:virology; D013515:Surgery, Oral
D000998:Antiviral Agents