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Ask the Experts about Hepatitis and HIV Coinfection
hep c risk in healthcare worker
Aug 19, 2008
I am an ICU RN and have had several patients infected with Hep C. While taking care of my last Hep C. patient, I noticed a small splash of blood on my flowsheet. I am unsure how it got there. I am afraid I may have touched the blood with an ungloved hand. My skin was intact, but I do have OCD issues. At what point should I be concerned and how far from exposure should one getted tested? Thank you.
Response from Dr. McGovern
This does not sound like an exposure to me. As a health care worker, you have the right to get tested for a baseline test. I would not pursue testing however, unless you are losing sleep over this.
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