The documented association between HCV antibody positivity and increasing years on dialysis may be due to incorrect implementation of infection control practices. In May 1990, routine testing of donors for HCV infection was implemented and in July 1992, more sensitive testing was initiated. Healthcare and other workers after needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood 2. The potential risk of transmission of HCV infection from certain exposures is unclear. However, studies of individuals in monogamous sexual relationships have shown that the risk of transmission in this setting is very low.
More data is needed to determine the risk of and factors related to sexual transmission.
Person with a history of multiple sex partners or sexually transmitted diseases 4. Intranasal cocaine and other noninjecting illegal drug users 5. Health-care, emergency medical, and public safety workers 2. Pregnant women 3. Nucleic acid based tests such as PCR or quantitative viral load testing also are available but are less well standardized and guidelines for their clinical use at this time not well established.