Management of occupational exposures to bloodborne viruses: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis

Unlike exposure to hepatitis B-infected blood, where risk of transmission is low and post-exposure prophylaxis is safe and effective, exposure to HIV is much different. This risk of HIV transmission is extremely low and the safety and efficacy of chemoprophylaxis is uncertain. Dental health care workers should be made aware that the potential side effects and toxicity of the standard post-exposure drug regimen outweigh the negligible risk of transmission posed by the exposure.