Understanding Hepatitis
and the Appropriate Barrier Protection

Hepatitis G DEFINITION The Hepatitis G Virus (HGV) is an RNA virus that is very similar to hepatitis C. Unlike hepatitis C, hepatitis G has not been associated with any chronic liver disease at this time. Research has indicated that it seems to be a benign virus that is widely present throughout the world. No association has been noted between poor outcomes of patients who are infected with hepatitis C and hepatitis G at the same time. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS Data on clinical presentation is unavailable at this time. INCUBATION PERIOD The incubation period is unknown at this time. CAUSE Hepatitis G is an enveloped RNA virus, the same as GB virus-C, Flaviviridae hepatitis G virus, although causal association remains to be confirmed.84 DIAGNOSIS The only specific test for hepatitis G is by polymerase chain reaction assay.85 POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS There is no prophylactic for hepatitis G. LONG-TERM EFFECTS There are no known notable long-term effects for this disease at this time. TRANSMISSION HGV is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. Other ways that a person may become infected with the disease are as follows: Dialysis patients may unknowingly share supplies/equipment that has the infected blood of another person on them. Healthcare workers that have frequent contact with blood on the job are susceptible, especially if they suffer an accidental needlestick. Sharing needles used for drugs, body piercing, or tattooing. Contact with open sores.86,87 WHO IS AT RISK? Transfusion recipients. Injection drug users. Hemodialysis patients. HGV is a frequent coinfection with the hepatitis C virus. Healthcare workers at risk of suffering needlesticks.88,89 TREATMENT Due to the characteristics of this disease and no known clinical manifestations or causative effects, treatment does not exist at this time. VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS Currently, there is no hepatitis G vaccine available at this time. INFECTION CONTROL Always follow routine Standard Precautions that include the following: Hand Washing Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed, between patient contacts, and when otherwise indicated to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients or environments. Gloves Wear gloves manufactured with proper barrier protection materials when touching blood, body fluid, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items; put on clean gloves just before touching mucous membranes and nonintact skin. Change gloves between tasks and procedures on the same patient after contact with material that may contain a high concentration of microorganisms. Remove gloves promptly after use, before touching noncontaminated items and environmental surfaces, and before going to another patient, and wash hands immediately to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients of environments. Masks, Eye Protection, Face Shields Wear a standard surgical mask and eye protection or a face shield to protect mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures and activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays. FACTS, STATISTICS, AND TRENDS Chronic infection develops in 90-100% of infected persons. Acute disease is rare or may not occur. No HGV infections in transfusion recipients have been detected since 1991 in the Sentinel Counties Study of Viral Hepatitis. Hepatitis G accounts for 0.3% of acute viral hepatitis. An estimated 900-2,000 infections occur per year; most may be asymptomatic. Although more common than hepatitis C, hepatitis G is usually “clinically silent” and nearly always chronic. The virus causes persistent infection in 15-30% of adults. Long-term significance and disease associations have not been established. Both types of HGV are RNA viruses and 25% of their molecular structures are identical. HGV is transmitted from person to person by the same routes as HCV (see above), and approximately one in five people infected with HCV also carries HGV.90

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