Recommendations for follow-up of health-care workers after occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus

Article Abstract:

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recommendations for treating health care workers who have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is usually transmitted by blood and it causes chronic liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. Health care workers may be exposed to HCV if they are stuck with a needle containing blood from an HCV-positive patient. If so, the worker should be tested for HCV at the time of the exposure and every six months, with confirmatory tests if necessary. There are no antiviral drugs that are entirely effective in preventing chronic liver disease.

Health aspects, Workplace accidents, Medical personnel, Blood-borne diseases, Bloodborne diseases, Hepatitis C virus

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Treatment of hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients: Significant progress but not the final step

Article Abstract:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and death in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Drugs that can lead to a reasonable proportion of patients being able to clear HCV are available, but the responses are low and most patients infected with HCV genotype 1 do not show long-term benefits from treatment.

Author: Manns, Michael P.
Science & research, Care and treatment, Research, HIV infection, HIV infections, Highly active antiretroviral therapy

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Hepatitis C virus transmission from an antibody-negative organ and tissue donor -- United States, 2000-2002

Article Abstract:

Eight people who received various organ transplants from a man who died of a brain hemorrhage may have contracted hepatitis C from him. Blood tests done at the time of his death were negative for hepatitis C, but a subsequent test was positive. The second test measured viral RNA, which is more accurate than an antibody test.

Diseases, Organ transplant recipients, Communicable diseases

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Subjects list: Risk factors, Hepatitis C, Disease transmission
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