Counselling patients with hepatitis C

Abstract

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 before-hand 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.