Occupational exposure of staff to HIV and prophylaxis therapy

Often the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is after exposure to persons with an undetermined human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. Cases of occupationally acquired HIV infection have been documented. The risk of contracting HIV from percutaneous exposure is small and PEP can significantly reduce the rate of occupational transmission. The Department of Health recommends that PEP be considered whenever there is significant exposure to high-risk body fluids, e.g. blood or other high-risk body fluids such as synovial or cerebrospinal fluid. It is important that a risk assessment is conducted to ascertain if the exposure is deemed significant. If it is, in an ideal situation, PEP should be commenced immediately, preferably within 1 hour; however, starting PEP up to 2 weeks after exposure may still be beneficial. All NHS and other healthcare settings, including the independent/private sectors, should ensure that they have policies and procedures in place to ensure that their staff are aware of the actions to be taken if they are at risk of occupational exposure to HIV.