Hepatitis C Information for Health Professionals

Testing Recommendations for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Person who should be tested once for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection without prior ascertainment of HCV risk factors include:

In 1998 CDC published guidelines for testing for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and HCV-Related Chronic Disease [PDF - 54 pages] (MMWR 1998;47(RR-19)). A test for HCV antibodies is recommended for routine testing of asymptomatic persons with specific risk factors. For those with reactive test results, the anti-HCV test should be followed with an additional, supplemental or confirmatory test for presence of the virus.

Persons who should be tested routinely for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection based on their risk for infection include those who:

Currently injecting drugs
Ever injected drugs, including those who injected once or a few times many years ago
Have certain medical conditions, including persons :

Were prior recipients of transfusions or organ transplants, including persons who:

were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for HCV infection
received a transfusion of blood, blood components or an organ transplant before July 1992

Persons who should be tested routinely for HCV-infection based on a recognized exposure:

Healthcare, emergency medical, and public safety workers after needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood
Children born to HCV-positive women

Persons for Whom Routine HCV Testing Is Not Recommended (unless they have risk factors for infection):

Persons for Whom Routine HCV Testing Is of Uncertain Need

Recipients of transplanted tissue (e.g., corneal, musculoskeletal, skin, ova, sperm)
Intranasal cocaine and other non-injecting illegal drug users
Persons with a history of tattooing or body piercing
Persons with a history of multiple sex partners or sexually transmitted diseases
Long-term steady sex partners of HCV-positive persons

In 2009, Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents [PDF - 216 pages] (MMWR 2009; 58(RR04)) were published as Recommendations from CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Persons who should be tested routinely for evidence of chronic HCV infection include: