Infections Associated with Health-care Personnel: Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Bloodborne Pathogens

Health-care personnel (HCP) are at risk for infection from occupational exposure, and can transmit infectious pathogens to patients and other personnel. The risk of disease acquisition depends on factors including the virulence of the causative organism, the mode of pathogen transmission, and the immune competency of the exposed individual. This article reviews the management of occupational exposure, infection, and strategies for the prevention of transmission of selected vaccine-prevent- able diseases (varicella zoster virus, influenza, pertussis) and bloodborne pathogens (hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus). Recommended strategies include surveillance, vaccination, infection control measures, and postexposure prophylaxis. Improved detection, management, and prevention strategies are needed to reduce the risk of trans- mission of infection to HCP.