Hepatitis C secondary prevention
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Secondary Prevention
Patients who are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C require specific measures to limit further hepatic damage, and avoid progression to cirrhosis. Important measures include:
- Assessment of alcohol intake for all patients with HCV infection and advising limitation of alcohol
- Behavioural alcohol reduction intervention in patients with moderate to high alcohol intake
- Maintaining a well balanced diet that is low in fat
- Evaluation for other conditions that may accelerate liver fibrosis, including HBV and HIV infections
- Immunization against other hepatitis viruses(hepatitis A and hepatitis B) is highly recommended[1]
Precautions to prevent transmission to other individuals include:[2]
- Covering completely any cut or wound with a waterproof dressing would help in reduction of transmission of the virus
- Ensuring that the injecting equipment is not shared
- Avoiding blood or organ donation
- Not sharing personal items such as toothbrushes or razors
- Engaging in protected intercourse whenever possible
There are no CDC recommendations to restrict a health care worker who is infected with HCV. The risk of transmission from an infected health care worker to a patient appears to be very low. All health care personnel, including those who are HCV positive, should follow strict aseptic technique and Standard Precautions, including appropriate hand hygiene, use of protective barriers, and safe injection practices.
References
- ↑ AASLD/IDSA/IAS–USA. Recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C. http://www.hcvguidelines.org. Accessed July 27, 2014.
- ↑ World Health Organization (WHO) 2014. Guidelines for the screening, care and treatment of persons with hepatitis C infection.http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/hepatitis/hepatitis-c-guidelines/en/. Accessed online on July 24,2014.