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Bloodborne viruses (BBVs) in healthcare workers

Health clearance and management of healthcare workers infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV and surveillance of occupational exposures.

Healthcare workers are subject to health clearance for bloodborne viruses (BBVs):

  • hepatitis B
  • hepatitis C
  • HIV

These measures are designed to protect patients from exposure in the clinical care setting. UK guidance sets out the requirements for this health clearance and describes clearance and monitoring arrangements for healthcare workers infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV who wish to perform exposure prone procedures (EPPs).

Healthcare workers are at risk of occupational exposure to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV from needlestick injuries and other injuries sustained at work.

Guidance for healthcare workers infected with BBV

Reporting significant occupational exposures

Updates to this page

Published 1 April 2013
Last updated 8 October 2021 + show all updates
  1. Added 'Bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers: report exposures and reduce risks'.

  2. Added ‘Hepatitis C: risk in healthcare workers pre 2007 clearance review’.

  3. Added 'Bloodborne viruses (BBVs) in HCWs: health clearance and management' under guidance for healthcare workers infected with BBV.

  4. First published.