Hepatitis C: Post Exposure Prophylaxis

Hepatitis C post exposure prophylaxis Currently there is no recommended post exposure prophylaxis for HCV. If significant exposure to HCV has occurred, testing of the recipient for HCVAg or RNA and for anti HCV should be carried out at 6 weeks and 3 months. Some guidelines recommend conducting baseline for HCV antibody and retested at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. HCV RNA testing should also be offered at 6 weeks.  If the HCV RNA is negative at that time, can be advised that the risk of transmission is negligible. If the recipient HCVAG or RNA test is positive, patient should be referred immediately. However, treatment of early infection has been shown to be successful. Counselling points The recipient should be counselled for symptoms suggestive of acute infection, eg fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, dark urine and yellow eyes. A person with symptoms suggestive of hepatitis, or a positive HCV RNAor Ag result, should be evaluated immediately by an infectious diseases physician. The HCW should be informed of the risk of transmission to secondary contacts, especially during the first 6 months following the incident. During this period patient should be advised not to donate plasma, blood, body tissue, breast milk or sperm and to consider safe sex (e.g. use of condoms). References:   Guideline on Healthcare Workers (HCW) Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). (2007). Occupational Health Unit Ministry of Health Guidelines for Emergency Management of Injuries EMI Guideline. (2012). Health Protection Surveillance  Centre (HPSC) Ireland