Prävention der nosokomialen Übertragung von Hepatitis-B-Virus (HBV) und Hepatitis-C-Virus (HCV) durch im Gesundheitswesen Tätige

The German Association for the Control of Viral Diseases (DVV) e.V. provides updated recommendations for the deployment of health care workers who have a hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The prevention of nosocomial infections remains the primary objective of the recommendations. In addition to patient protection, the professional and social interests of employees in the health care system were also taken into account. The risk of transmission from infected medical personnel to others is determined by the level of viremia and the type of work performed, must be assessed on a case-by-case basis and can range from negligible to high. The following conditions apply: serological HBV genome concentrations of less than 200 IU/mL and/or HCV genome equivalents of less than 250 IU/mL do not restrict activities with a high risk of transmission, provided that general and special hygiene measures are adhered to (e.g. continuous occupational health care, wearing of double gloves, serological follow-up under detectable viremia, utilization of antiviral therapy options). HBV genome concentrations exceeding 20,000 IU/mL and/or HCV genome equivalents exceeding 25,000 IU/mL and HBV/HCV infections in the acute clinical phase are incompatible with the performance of activities with transmission potential. However, the return to high transmission activities after successful antiviral therapy should be limited for HBV with stable serological status of 200 to 20,000 IU/mL and for HCV of 250 to 25,000 IU/mL.