Viral Hepatitis Exposure Risk Among Health Care Providers

Key points

  • The delivery of health care has the potential to transmit hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) to both health care workers and patients.
  • Health care workers should be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
  • Health care workers should be tested for hepatitis C after a potential exposure.
Healthcare professional possibly exposed to viral hepatitis disposes used needle in safety recepticle

Risks

Outbreaks of HBV and HCV infection have occurred in outpatient settings, hemodialysis units, long-term care facilities, and hospitals. These outbreaks primarily occur because of unsafe injection practices, such as reuse of needles, fingerstick devices, and syringes, and other lapses in infection control.

To prevent transmission in hospitals, clinics, and health care facilities, all staff members should be aware of and follow standard precautions and fundamental infection-control principles, including safe injection practices and appropriate aseptic techniques.

Preventing viral hepatitis

For hepatitis B, CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend clinicians, other health care workers, and public safety workers with reasonably anticipated risk for exposure receive the complete hepatitis B vaccine series and have their immunity documented through post-vaccination testing.

For hepatitis C, clinicians and other health care workers should be tested after potential exposure. In the case of a positive test result, antiviral medications should be provided to treat the HCV infection.

Resources

These resources provide further guidance and information on viral hepatitis transmission and prevention in health care settings.

Infection control

Occupational health

Vaccination