Hepatitis C infection: a review on epidemiology and management of occupational exposure in health care workers for general physicians working in Iranian health network setting

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health in Iran as well as throughout theworld. Health care workers (HCW) are occupationally at the risk of HCV infection. The aimof this article is to review the information about the epidemiology, nosocomialepidemiology, natural history, immunopathogenesis, and occupational risks associated withmanaging HCV in the health care workplace. Information obtained from previousinvestigation on HCV infection has yielded a better knowledge about HCV. Because datademonstrating the efficacy of any intervention are not yet available, no definitive postexposure anti viral therapy can be recommended for HCWs who are occupationally exposedto HCV. Based on existing data, the preemptive therapy and watchful waiting strategiesoutlined in this review article represent reasonable interim approaches to this complexproblem.