Blood-borne viruses and health care workers: A neglected entity!

Blood-borne viruses in health care workers: prevention and management.

Three pathogens account for most cases of occupationally acquired blood-borne infection: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The highest proportion of occupational transmission is due to percutaneous injury (PI) via hollow-bore needles with vascular access. We briefly review prevention and management of blood-borne pathogens in health care wo...

Health care workers' exposure to blood-borne pathogens in Lebanon.

BACKGROUND Accidental exposure to blood-borne pathogens (BBPs) is a risk for health care workers (HCWs). AIM To study the pattern of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) at a tertiary care hospital. METHODS This study reports a 17-year experience (1985-2001) of ongoing surveillance of HCW exposure to BBFs at a 420-bed academic tertiary care hospital. RESULTS A total of 1,...

Preventing transmission of blood-borne pathogens to health care workers.

Health care workers are exposed to blood-borne pathogens, mainly the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Infection by these viruses leads to chronic or fatal illnesses which are expensive and difficult to treat. Individuals who harbour these viruses may be asymptomatic and hence all patients should be assumed to harbour a blood-borne pathogen. All health care ...

Prevalence of Blood-Borne Viruses in Health Care Workers of a Northern District in Pakistan: Risk Factors and Preventive Behaviors

Background. Blood-borne viral infections like viral hepatitis are highly prevalent in Pakistan. There is also a potential threat of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) spread in the country. Health care workers (HCWs) are a high risk population for acquiring such viral infections and potential spread to the patients. This study aimed to determine the frequency of three blood-borne viruses: HCV, ...

occupational exposure to blood borne viruses among healthcare workers in a tertiary care referral hospital in tehran