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Bloodborne viruses (BBVs) in healthcare workers

Health clearance and management of healthcare workers infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV and surveillance of occupational exposures.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 1 April 2013
• Last updated: 8 October 2021
  Show all updates

  1. 8 October 2021

     Added 'Bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers: report exposures and reduce risks'.

  2. 30 November 2020

     Added ‘Hepatitis C: risk in healthcare workers pre 2007 clearance review’.

  3. 26 October 2017

     Added 'Bloodborne viruses (BBVs) in HCWs: health clearance and management' under guidance for healthcare workers infected with BBV.

  4. 1 April 2013

     First published.

Healthcare workers are subject to health clearance for bloodborne viruses (BBVs):

• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• HIV

These measures are designed to protect patients from exposure in the clinical care setting. UK guidance sets out the requirements for this health clearance and describes clearance and monitoring arrangements for healthcare workers infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV who wish to perform exposure prone procedures (EPPs).

Healthcare workers are at risk of occupational exposure to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV from needlestick injuries and other injuries sustained at work.

Guidance for healthcare workers infected with BBV

See UK Advisory Panel for Healthcare Workers Infected with Bloodborne Viruses (UKAP) for further guidance.

• UK Advisory Panel (UKAP): enquiry form
  • 15 September 2026
  • Form
• BBVs in healthcare workers: health clearance and management
  • 15 January 2025
  • Guidance
• Hepatitis C: risk in healthcare workers pre 2007 clearance review
  • 30 November 2020
  • Research and analysis

Reporting significant occupational exposures

• Bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers: managing and reducing risks
  • 31 March 2025
  • Guidance