Hepatitis C in Healthcare Settings
Overview of Hepatitis C in Healthcare Settings
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
The spread of HCV from one person to another in healthcare settings is rare, but can occur. Persons who can be exposed to HCV in healthcare settings include patients and healthcare personnel.
The average risk for infection after a needlestick or cut exposure to HCV infected blood is approximately 1.8%. There are no exact estimates on the number of healthcare personnel occupationally infected with HCV. However, studies have shown that 1% of hospital healthcare personnel have evidence of HCV infection (about 1.6% of the U.S. adult population has evidence of infection). The number of these workers who may have been infected through an occupational exposure is unknown.
Background/General Information
These resources may be of use to heathcare professionals:
Patient Safety
- Injection Safety Information for Providers
- Injection Safety Facts
- Table 1. Recommended infection-control and safe injection practices to prevent patient-to-patient transmission of bloodborn pathogens.
Healthcare Personnal Safety
- Safe Injection Practices Excerpted from Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2007.
- Exposure to Blood - What Health-Care Workers Need to Know, 1999
Updated: July 2003 PDF (10 pages / 371KB)A published booklet with important information about occupational exposures to blood, the risks of infection and important measures that should occur after an exposure.
Date last modified: March 26, 2008
Content source:
Division of Healthcare
Quality Promotion (DHQP)
National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases (NCPDCID)
Infection Control Topics
- Infection Control Home
- Healthcare-Associated Infections
- Protecting Patients
- Protecting Healthcare Workers
- Infection Control Guidelines
- Infection Control A-Z
- About DHQP
BBP Exposure Resources
- PEPLINE Exposure Hotline
Up-to-the-minute advice on managing occupational exposures (e.g., needlesticks, splashes, etc.) to HIV, hepatitis and other bloodborne pathogens - National HIV/AIDS Clinicians' Consultation (NCCC) Hotline