Low risk of health care workers for infection with hepatitis C virus.

294 health care workers from 21 different departments were tested for hepatitis C antibodies by means of the Ortho ELISA test. Only six (2%) were found positive. Health care workers having direct contact with the patient, such as doctors and nurses, seem to be at a higher risk of infection than those with only indirect contact, such as laboratory technicians and cleaning personnel. In the geriatric ward the risk is possibly slightly higher than in other departments. However, in general risk of infection with HCV for health care workers seems to be low.