Читать книгу Occupational Health Law - Diana Kloss - Страница 57

Hepatitis C is giving rise to increasing cause for concern. There is no preventive vaccine and infection can cause serious liver damage, sometimes many years later. The risk of transmission to the patient from the HCW, especially in the course of major surgery, is far higher than the risk of HIV transmission. There is no post exposure prophylaxis available for hepatitis C. However, treatment is available for hepatitis C infection and those who have responded successfully to treatment with anti‐viral therapy may be allowed to resume EPPs or to start professional training for a career that relies upon the performance of EPPs.

Hepatitis C is a notifiable disease, and falls within the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Scheme.

Asymptomatic infection with HIV counts as a disability under the Equality Act from seroconversion, but this does not apply to hepatitis.