HCV viremia immediately after accidental needle stick

Abstract Seven hospital workers (nurses) experienced accidental needle stick with needles contaminated by blood from chronic hepatitis C patients. HCV-RNA was detected in blood collected from two of these cases within an extremely short time after the accident, 10 min and 120 min. The two nurses subsequently became negative for HCV-RNA, never tested positive for HCV antibody, and never developed acute hepatitis C. HCV viremia can be readily established within an extremely short period of time after a HCV-contaminated needle stick accident.