Hepatitis C virus: an important occupational hazard?

Infection with Heptatis C virus (HCV) is estimated to affect 3% Of the worl d's population and is an important cause of liver disease. It is most commo nly transmitted by percutaneous exposure. Although current evidence does no t suggest an increased prevalence of HCV infection among healthcare workers , transmission of infection following occupational exposure has been demons trated. An average transmission rate of 1.8%, following percutaneous injury , has been reported. The risk of transmission is higher from patients with viraemia, as measured by a positive polymerase chain reaction for HCV RNA. After exposure to HCV, healthcare Workers should be actively followed up. i nitially using a test to detect viral RNA. This may faciliate earlier diagn osis and treatment. Recent reports in the UK, of transmission of infection to patients from HCV infected healthcare workers, have prompted a review of the appropriateness of HCV infected individuals undertaking exposure prone procedures.