Editorial: Should HBV or HCV positive surgeons refrain from operating

Viruses like hepatitis b, c and hiv spread by blood and blood fluids. health care professionals including surgeons and all those who perform exposure-prone procedures are at risk of contracting these blood-borne viruses, but they generally do not recognize or report these potential exposures due to reluctance to report sharps injuries, or to present for testing for blood-borne virus transmission, for fear of being barred from surgical practice. although surgeons may fear transmission of hiv in particular, it is hepatitis c that poses the greatest risk.