About Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. Although there are several potential causes of hepatitis, the illness is often caused by a viral infection. Healthcare-associated hepatitis outbreaks most commonly involve hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), both of which are bloodborne pathogens and can result in chronic infections that may lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
In healthcare settings, transmission of HBV and HCV typically results from infection control breaches that expose patients to blood from another person. HBV and HCV outbreaks can be difficult to recognize due to the potential for asymptomatic infections and prolonged incubation periods (weeks to months).
A single case of possible healthcare-associated HBV or HCV warrants investigation and follow-up to rule out a larger problem.
