Open AccessA shield against a monster: Hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients
Author(s) -
Seyed Moayed Alavian
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.15.641
Subject(s) - hemodialysis , medicine , hepatitis c , hepatitis c virus , dialysis , transmission (telecommunications) , hepacivirus , virology , intensive care medicine , virus , electrical engineering , engineering
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent among patients on hemodialysis (HD). The prevalence of HCV infection in HD patients varies markedly from country to country. Some factors are especially related to these high prevalence rates, such as blood transfusions and length of dialysis time. Nosocomial routes of transmission including the use of contaminated equipment and patient-to-patient exposure is considered more important. Several prophylactic measures have been suggested to avoid infection by HCV in the HD environment.