OCCUPATIONAL RISK OF INFECTION WITH HEPATITIS-B AND HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

The risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for health-care workers (HCWs) is well documented. Fortunately, effective pre- and postexposur e prophylaxis in the form of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immun oglobulin are available for the prevention of occupational HBV infecti on. Although the occupational risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infectio n is less well defined, it appears to be lower than the risk of HBV in fection. Nevertheless, the long-term consequence of HCV infection fan be serious. Effective pre- and postexposure treatments against HCV inf ection are needed.