Who should be tested for HCV infection?
HCV testing is recommended for anyone at increased risk for HCV infection, including: • Persons who have ever injected illegal drugs, including those who injected only once many years ago • Recipients of clotting factor concentrates made before 1987 • Recipients of blood transfusions or solid organ transplants before July 1992 • Patients who have ever received long-term hemodialysis treatment • Persons with known exposures to HCV, such as • healthcare workers after needlesticks involving HCV-positive blood • recipients of blood or organs from a donor who later tested HCV-positive • All persons with HIV infection • Patients with signs or symptoms of liver disease (e.g., abnormal liver enzyme tests) • Children born to HCV-positive mothers (to avoid detecting maternal antibody, these children should not be tested before age 18 months)
