Hepatitis Exposure Management

Hepatitis Exposure Management

Tools to Help You Manage Exposures Hepatitis B and C.

Prompt assessment and management of potential hepatitis B and C exposures from needlesticks, splashes, sexual exposure, and human bites is paramount. While each exposure case is unique, there are standard strategies that help you determine who should receive hepatitis B prophylaxis and how to evaluate and monitor hepatitis C exposures. NCCC clinicians have compiled and created tools to assist you in identifying what constitutes an exposure and how to test for and follow up on exposures confidently.

Up-to-date hepatitis exposure management guidelines

Current U.S. Public Health Service guidelines and select treatment protocols for managing exposures to HIV and hepatitis B and C. Guidelines on this page are updated in concordance with USPHS updates for each topic.

Hepatitis Exposure Management Guidelines

  • Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendations for Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States, 2018 
    Open PDF Open PDF | From The CDC MMWR
  • CDC Guidance for Evaluating Health-Care Personnel for Hepatitis B Virus Protection and for Administering Postexposure Management, 2013
    Open PDF Open PDF | From The CDC
  • Testing and Clinical Management of Health Care Personnel Potentially Exposed to Hepatitis C Virus — CDC Guidance, United States, 2020
    Open Link Open Link | From The CDC
  • Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis, 2001
    Open PDF Open PDF | From The CDC MMWR
  • Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and HCV-Related Chronic Disease, 1998
    Open Link Open Link | From The CDC MMWR


PEP Quick Guide for Hepatitis Exposure

Visit our PEP Quick Guide to access the latest Guidelines-based exposure recommendations for hepatitis B and C. This information, provided by our clinicians, will help you with urgent decision-making regarding needlestick and other occupational exposures to hepatitis and other bloodborne pathogens.

Learn at a glance:

  • How to assess an exposure
  • How to best manage the exposure
  • What initial and follow-up tests are required

Go to the PEP Quick Guide >>


Additional hepatitis exposure management resources

The NCCC has compiled or created the following resources to aid you in your practice when managing exposures to hepatitis B and C.

  • Interpretation of Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results
    Open PDF Open PDF
  • Recommended Testing Sequence for Identifying Current Hepatitis C Infection
    Open PDF Open PDF
  • Interpretation of Hepatitis C Test Results
    Open PDF Open PDF