Viral Hepatitis Testing and Notification After Exposure

Bloodborne Pathogens Testing Guidance

Depending upon the risk of transmission, there may be recommendations for bloodborne pathogen screening as part of the notification process. CDC staff are always available for consultation including discussion of testing algorithms for specific notification settings.

It may take six months or more for recent infections to be serologically detectable.  To identify all potential infections, the clinician should re-test after six months has passed from last exposure.

Suggested tests may vary according to the recency and likelihood of exposure and typically include:

• Serologic testing for hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) and if positive reflex to HCV RNA testing [PDF – 4 pages] (which may require an additional frozen serum specimen),
• Serologic testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (may also consider total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (total anti-HBc) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (Anti-HBs) tests to determine past infection and immunity status). Note:  In March 2023 CDC published updated recommendations for hepatitis B screening and testing that include a universal one-time hepatitis screen for all persons with a test for HBsAg, anti-HBs and total anti-HBc.

Notification Toolkit

This patient notification toolkit provides a communications framework for state and local health departments to use for public notification as part of public health response to possible bloodborne pathogen exposures in a variety of health care settings.