Thursday, August 18, 2016

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:  
  1. 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
  2. Guidelines for Emergency Management of Injuries EMI Guideline. (2012). Health Protection Surveillance  Centre (HPSC) Ireland

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