Regulatory and legislative efforts were largely responsible for the reduction of deaths from hepatitis B as a result of vaccine programs. Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, cases of hepatitis B in health care workers dropped from 17,000 annually to 400 annually and continue to drop. It is a silent epidemic. There could be thousands and thousands of nurses with occupationally acquired hepatitis C who do not know it. Hepatitis C is the most frequent infection resulting from needlestick and sharps injuries.
Chronic carriers have the potential to spread the disease to others, including their partners.
Hepatitis C leads to liver failure, liver transplants and liver cancer. 16,000 of the 600,000 to one million needlestick injuries each year result in HIV exposure. There are 35 new cases each year. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.