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HCV Exposure in the Health Care Arena. Is there a Role for Post-exposure Prophylaxis?

  • Hepatitis C (H Vargas and S Flamm, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Healthcare workers are a vulnerable population for exposure to a variety of bloodborne pathogens including hepatitis C (HCV). With the development of novel efficacious treatments for chronic HCV, the role of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been suggested instead of the current approach to monitor for the development of infection.

Recent Findings

The lack of robust studies that HCV PEP lowers transmission risk as well as the significant financial cost limits enthusiasm for routine use of HCV PEP at this time.

Summary

We support stringent monitoring protocols with prompt referral for evaluation and treatment when infection is detected. However, it is important to consider providing HCV PEP for clinicians engaged in invasive procedures who may be displaced from work for extended periods of time due to the nature of their work where they have a higher risk for transmission to additional patients.

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  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Ryan S. Chiang & Andrew J. Muir

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Andrew J. Muir reports grants and personal fees from Abbvie, grants and personal fees from BMS, grants and personal fees from Gilead, grants and personal fees from Merck, and personal fees from Precision Biosciences, outside the submitted work. Ryan S. Chiang declares no potential conflicts of interest.

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Chiang, R.S., Muir, A.J. HCV Exposure in the Health Care Arena. Is there a Role for Post-exposure Prophylaxis?. Curr Hepatology Rep 18, 222–227 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-019-00464-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-019-00464-2

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