HIV infection in healthcare workers: risk and prevention

Patients with HIV infection pose a minimal but real risk to healthcare providers who sustain an exposure to such patients' blood or body fluids. Using data from large prospective studies, the estimated risk following parenteral exposure to HIV-positive blood is 0.4%. When a healthcare worker sustains an exposure, Mount Sinai Infection Control recommends immediate referral of the worker to an employee health service or emergency room for evaluation of the incident. Appropriate prophylaxis for hepatitis should be administered in a timely fashion. Counseling should be provided to exposed healthcare workers on the risk for HIV infection and precautions to take in the followup period. Zidovudine should be offered in a timely fashion as well; however, the ultimate decision on that treatment rests with the person exposed.