Hepatitis, precautions against

Biohazard level 1. Bacillus subtilis, canine hepatitis, E. coli, varicella (chicken pox). At this level precautions against the biohazardous materials in question are minimal, most likely wearing gloves and some facial protection. Decontamination procedures at this level are similar in most respects to modern precautions against everyday viruses (washing hands with antibacterial soap, washing all exposed surfaces of the lab with disinfectants, etc.). 

In addition to vaccinating health care workers against hepatitis B, other infection control practices are important in preventing transmission of the virus because up to 10% of people do not develop an adequate antibody response to the vaccine. The most important infection control measure is the use of universal precautions. These precautions prevent exposure to blood and blood-derived body fluids via use of a variety of barrier precautions, measures to prevent needlesticks, environmental control measures, and good hand-washing techniques. However, if a worker is exposed to material that potentially contains HBV, recommendations for percutaneous exposure to HBV should be followed (see Table 40-7). ... 

Under an approach to infection control known as universal precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if infected with bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Universal precautions should be taken because certain strains of hepatitis are contagious from person to person via the transfer of body fluids—in sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, injection with unsterUized needles, childbirth, inadequately steriUzed medical/ dental equipment, tattooing, electrolysis, or IV drug use. Immunization offers protection against certain strains of hepatitis. 

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