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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is usually but not exclusively transmitted
by the parenteral route. Some precautions are recommended for
infected patients as well as his/her close contacts and family
members. The risk of sexual transmission and from household
contacts is very low. Use of condoms is only recommended in cases
of multiple partners and for those at high risk of transmission.
Some personal objects should not be shared, i.e. razors,
toothbrushes and nail clippers, but it is not necessary to avoid
sharing eating utensils. Sexual partners may be tested for anti-HCV
HCV-positive individuals should refrain from donating blood, organs
and tissue. Clear and evidenced-based information should be
provided to patients as to the means of prevention with special
attention to individual risk groups such as IV drug abusers. The
risk of HCV transmission after needlestick injury, although low,
justifies universal precaution measurements for health-care
workers. Nosocomial transmission has been described after medical
procedures, especially haemodialysis and endoscopy. Thus,
disinfection procedures as well as universal precautions are
essential for all health-care workers. It is also important for HCV
patients to inform health-care workers beforehand about their HCV
status. Perinatal transmission is rare and is usually related to
the degree of maternal viral load. Pregnancy is not
contra-indicated in HCV. infected individuals and breast-feeding is
allowed. Finally, HCV patients with active disease should be
advised to refrain from alcohol intake, especially during antiviral
therapy. After HCV infection it is necessary to consider not only
diagnostic and therapeutic steps but also the risk of transmission
in the patient's circle and consequences for the patient.
AUTHOR: Zarski JP, Leroy V, Departement
d'Hepato-Gastroenterologie. C.H.U. de Grenoble, France.
SOURCE: J Hepatol 1999;31 Suppl 1:136-40
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