WHO IS AT INCREASED RISK FOR HEPATITIS C?
Unlike hepatitis A and B, hepatitis C is not preventable through vaccination. However, there are measures that a person can take to minimize her chances of acquiring HCV. In addition, many precautions may be taken by an HCV-infected person so as to reduce the likelihood of transmitting this virus to others. Prevention of HCV will be discussed in Chapter 24. Meanwhile, take note of the following categories of individuals who are at increased risk for contracting HCV. All individuals in these categories should be tested for HCV.
• People who have received a blood, or blood-product, transfusion, or an organ transplant, prior to 1992 and especially prior to 1990.
• Intravenous-drug users, past and present.
• Household members of an infected person if toothbrushes, razors or other objects that may transmit HCV have been shared.
• Hospital and other health-care facility workers, after a needle-stick or mucosal exposure to the blood of a person with HCV.
• Public-safety and emergency medical workers after a needle-stick or mucosal exposure to the blood of a person with HCV.
• People who have acquired a tattoo or who have had a body part pierced if they suspect unsterile practices.
• People who have been born to a mother infected with HCV
- The sexual partner of an HCV-positive person, if traumatic sex or bleeding due to mucosal breaks or other reasons ( such as prostatitis – an inflammation of the prostate gland with occasional bleeding) may have occurred
• Organ transplant recipients of an HCV-infected organ.
• Hemodialysis patients.
Note : Anyone with elevated liver enzymes- even those without an identifiable risk factor, should be tested for HCV.
The offices of Melissa Palmer, M.D. are located at:
1097 Old Country Road Suite 104
Plainview, N.Y 11803
or
500 Portion Road
Lake Ronkonkama, N.Y. 11779
To arrange an appointment with Dr. Palmer, call
(516) 939-2626