3, 11 Until 2011, combination treatment with interferon-α and ribavirin was the only available option for patients with HCV infection. While there is no vaccine for HCV, there are effective treatment options. Iatrogenic HCV Transmission Risks and Epidemiology 4, 10 In this article, we describe the risks, epidemiology, transmission, treatment, prevention, legal ramifications, and physician responsibility related to iatrogenic infection of HCV. 4, 6, 8- 11 Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that HCV infection is the most common cause of the need for liver transplantation. 1, 2, 4- 7 Approximately 75% of HCV infection cases become chronic, with serious health risks, including hepatic carcinoma, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, liver cirrhosis, and vertical transmission to an infant. 1- 3 This bloodborne pathogen can acutely lead to nausea, icterus, jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stool, and abdominal pain, with laboratory values reflecting elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus in the flaviviridae family that targets hepatic cells. This article reviews the major health risks of HCV infection, significant effects of iatrogenic infection transmission, CDC guidelines for safe injection practices, and legal regulations and ramifications designed to promote safe injection practices. Legal and regulatory ramifications, including state, criminal, and tort laws, hold physicians and other health care professionals accountable to use safe injection practices. The guidelines establish the requirement to notify patients in cases of suspected virus transmission, as well as to screen those patients who would not otherwise have been at risk for HCV seroconversion and other bloodborne pathogens. Failure to implement the evidence-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection prevention guidelines exposes patients to preventable harm. Numerous cases have demonstrated the need for continued vigilance and the widespread nature of this iatrogenic infection risk across a variety of medical practice settings in the United States. Improper use of vials, needles, syringes, intravenous bags, tubing, and connectors for injections and infusions is a current preventable cause of iatrogenic HCV transmission. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses significant adverse health effects.
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