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Hepatitis Quiz
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In a healthcare worker without protective hepatitis B immunity, which listed blood-borne virus generally has the highest transmission risk after a comparable needlestick injury from an infectious source?
- A Hepatitis B virus You picked ✓
- B Human T-lymphotropic virus You picked ✕
- C Cytomegalovirus You picked ✕
- D Hepatitis C virus You picked ✕
- E Human immunodeficiency virus You picked ✕
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Incorrect
The answer is A: Hepatitis B virus
Explanation
Why A is correct
See Hepatitis B. Option A is correct. After a needlestick injury (a skin puncture by a needle that has been in an infected patient), the chance of catching a virus depends on how much virus is in the blood and how easily it infects. Published estimates put the risk of hepatitis B at roughly 6% to 30% for a non-immune worker, compared with about 3% to 10% for hepatitis C and about 0.3% for HIV (MSD Manual gives about 1 in 400, which is the same order). The risk is so much higher for hepatitis B than for HIV even though HIV worries people more. The practical message is that hepatitis B has an effective vaccine: the target for long-term protection is an anti-HBs level of at least 10 mIU/mL. Hepatitis C and HIV have no vaccine, so prompt action after exposure matters.
- Hepatitis B: The highest needlestick risk, roughly 6% to 30% for a non-immune worker.
- Comparison: Hepatitis C is about 3% to 10% and HIV about 0.3%.
- Protection: Hepatitis B has an effective vaccine, with a target anti-HBs level of at least 10 mIU/mL.
Why the other options are incorrect
- B. Human T-lymphotropic virus: Human T-lymphotropic virus is blood-borne and can be transmitted by needlestick, but its transmission risk after a single injury is lower than that of hepatitis B. It is not the dominant occupational needlestick threat. Your answer
- C. Cytomegalovirus: Although cytomegalovirus is blood-borne and can be transmitted by needlestick, its transmission risk after a single injury is lower than that of hepatitis B. It is not one of the main viruses for which post-exposure prophylaxis is prioritised after occupational exposure. Your answer
- D. Hepatitis C virus: Hepatitis C is transmitted in roughly 3% to 10% of needlestick injuries from an infected source. That is a real risk but lower than the figure for hepatitis B. Your answer
- E. Human immunodeficiency virus: HIV is transmitted in only about 0.3% of needlestick injuries from an infected source. That is far lower than the figure for hepatitis B, even though HIV is the better-known fear. Your answer
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1
Which hepatitis B serological marker is most strongly associated with high viral replication and greater infectivity?
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2
A 24-year-old woman who previously injected drugs is screened for blood-borne viruses. Her blood test is positive for anti-hepatitis C antibody. She feels well and has no symptoms. What is the most appropriate next investigation to determine whether she currently has hepatitis C infection?
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