HIV in Healthcare Settings
Overview of HIV in Healthcare Settings
Healthcare personnel are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Exposures occur through needlesticks or cuts from other sharp instruments contaminated with an infected patient's blood or through contact of the eye, nose, mouth, or skin with a patient's blood. Important factors that influence the overall risk for occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens include the number of infected individuals in the patient population and the type and number of blood contacts. Most exposures do not result in infection.
Transmission of HIV to patients while in healthcare settings is rare, however proper sterilization and disinfection procedures are required.
Background/General Information
These resources may be of use to heathcare professionals:
- Exposure to Blood - What Health-Care
Workers Need to Know, 1999
Updated: July 2003PDF (10 pages / 371KB) A published booklet with important information about occupational exposures to blood, the risks of infection and important measures that should occur after an exposure. - Aerosols and HIV
Date last modified: February 23,
2004
Content source:
Division of Healthcare
Quality Promotion (DHQP)
National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases (NCPDCID)
Infection Control Topics
- Infection Control Home
- Healthcare-Associated Infections
- Protecting Patients
- Protecting Healthcare Workers
- Infection Control Guidelines
- Infection Control A-Z
- About DHQP
Related Resources
BBP Exposure Resources
- PEPLINE Exposure Hotline
Up-to-the-minute advice on managing occupational exposures (e.g., needlesticks, splashes, etc.) to HIV, hepatitis and other bloodborne pathogens - National HIV/AIDS Clinicians' Consultation (NCCC) Hotline