[Occupational risks for medical personnel exposed to hepatitis C virus infection].

Infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is real danger for all medical staff, and especially those who directly contact biological material (blood, blood derivatives, tissues and tissue liquids). Increased possibility of infection with HCV is generated by high prevalence of the diseases amongst general population, high infectious capacity of the virus itself and every day contacts of medical staff, especially surgeons, personnel working on hemodialysis, with blood, tissues and other tissue liquids. Measures of "Standard recommendations" for protection of medical staff from HCV infections have been established, together with measures of skin and mucous membrane protection from direct contact with biological material (gloves, masks, protective glasses) as well as measures for handling and disposal of injection needles and other sharp medical instruments into special hard dishes. It is not recommended by post-exposure prophylaxis to use antiviral medicines (interferon) or immunoglobulin. Medical institutions are obliged to develop measures for protection of medical staff, which are applicable after percute or permucouse exposition to anti-HCV positive blood.