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.

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)

Learn more about responding to HBV exposures in health care settings.

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.

Learn more about guidelines for health care personnel exposed to hepatitis C virus.

Resources

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

Infection control

Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel: Infrastructure and Routine Practices

Infrastructure and Routine Practices for Occupational Infection Prevention and Control Services (201

Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities

This MMWR provides recommendations for infection control in health care settings.

Safe Injection Practices and Your Health

Information for patients about safe injection practices in healthcare settings.

Occupational health

Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

MMWR. Recommendations and Reports / Vol. 67 / No. 1 / P. 1–31

CDC Guidance for Evaluating Health-Care Personnel for Hepatitis B Virus Protection and for Administering Postexposure Management

MMWR | Recommendations and Reports | 62(RR10);1-19

Testing and Clinical Management of Health Care Personnel Potentially Exposed to Hepatitis C Virus — CDC Guidance, United States, 2020

MMWR. Recommendations and Reports / Vol. 69 / No. 6 / P. 1–8

CDC Recommendations for Hepatitis C Screening Among Adults — United States, 2020

MMWR. Recommendations and Reports / Vol. 69 / No. 2 / P. 1–17

National Clinicians Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Hotline

This hotline provides clinicians with 24-hour guidance on managing occupational exposures to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne pathogens at 1-888-448-4911.

Bloodborne Infectious Disease Risk Factors

Information and guidance about bloodborne infectious disease prevention for workers.

Vaccination

Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination in Adults Aged 19–59 Years: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022

MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report / Vol. 71 / No. 13 / P. 477–483

Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

MMWR. Recommendations and Reports / Vol. 67 / No. 1 / P. 1–31

Menu of State Healthcare Facility Hepatitis B Vaccination Laws

This menu is one of a series of menus assessing vaccination requirements for patients and healthcare...

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