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Needlestick injuries, which commonly occur in the health care setting, can lead to transmission of the hepatitis C virus. The chances of transmitting the hepatitis C virus through a needlestick are greater than the chances of transmitting HIV in this manner.
However, with HIV, there is a standard drug protocol that is followed to reduce the risk of getting HIV or AIDS following a needlestick injury--generally the person who sustains the injury takes prophylactic antiviral drugs. Unfortunately, no such protocol exists for preventing HCV infection following a needlestick injury.
The course of action is usually watchful waiting, with periodic monitoring of the viral load to assess the risk of hepatitis C virus transmission.
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