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What Are Chances Of Contracting Hepatitis C After Accidental Finger Prick?

Posted on Fri, 31 Oct 2014

Question: Hii I m a health care worker and got an accidental finger prick after giving interferon inj to a hep c patient. . His viral load is 81lacs what r my chances of infection???

Answered by Dr. Divakara (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need details of exposure .

Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX

Greetings from Dr. Divakara.P
Thanks for choosing Healthcare Magic

Hepatitis C is highly contagious infection. A very small amount of infected sample is enough to transmit infection .

But again there are other factors which determines the chance of transmission . These are
1. Was the needle of the Syringe Wide bore or Narrow Bore.
2. Were you wearing gloves ? If yes , single Pair or double ?
3. Was there any blood on your finger after the prick ?

Kindly let me know these details .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (5 hours later)

I was giving interferon alfa 2b to d patient using insulin syringe subcutaneously. Eearing a single pair of gloves and had a very small drop of bloox which I washed immediately with running water. ...

Answered by Dr. Divakara (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Chances are less

Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX

The chances are less as Insulin Syringe has a very small needle and you were wearing a pair of gloves also.

But though less some chance is there. I advise you to get tested for HCV RNA after 2 weeks and revert back to me with reports.

Any clarifications feel free to ask .

Happy to answer.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D