HIV infection and the healthcare worker

The perception of degree of risk can vary markedly from actual risk. About 5% of the cases of AIDS and HIV infection in the United States have occurred in healthcare workers, a percentage that has remained stable over time. Nearly all of these infections are related to lifestyle factors, not occupational risk. The risk to patients appears to be very much smaller, but has received even more publicity. Apprehension exists concerning the future framework of our medical care delivery system and who will care for whom. The sensitive handling of legitimate fears and the minimization and balancing of conflicting risks will be a challenging task in the decades ahead.