step1 needle stick시의 상황. 운영자 / 2005-10-11 16:18:38
A healthcare worker is stuck with a contaminated needle. She has not been immunized for hepatitis B and is now concerned about infection. She is tested after the needle stick and again one month later for HIV and hepatitis B and C serology. Her HIV and hepatitis C panels are negative. Her hepatitis B panel is as follows: HBsAg positive, anti-HBc negative, and anti-HBs negative. What is the status of this patient?
A She is in the incubation period
B She is in manifesting acute disease
C She is not infected
D She is in the early phase of chronic infection
E She is in the late phase of chronic infection
(A) is correct. The patient has a positive HBsAg which means she has had exposure to the virus. She has not developed antibodies yet and is anti-HBs negative.
Choices (B), (C), (D), and (E) are incorrect. The patient has been infected, but it has not manifested symptoms of disease. Her hepatitis panel demonstrates that it may be too early for her to be symptomatic as she is in the incubation period.
