Hepatitis C virus and the risk to the healthcare worker

Abstract

The risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission is six times higher per needle-stick exposure than is the risk of HIV infection (1.8% vs 0.3%). The prevalence of HCV in South Africa is not known but estimated to be between 0.1 and 0.7%. Genotype 5 is predominantly found in South Africa. Currently there is no protocol in place for HCV exposure. The treatment cost of HCV is expensive. Currently none of the insurance companies covers post-HCV exposure.