HIV infection following motor vehicle trauma in central Africa

The prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during international travel is gaining increased attention. In this report, a 32-year-old man acquired the HIV following a motor vehicle accident in Rwanda. During the accident the patient received multiple lacerations and was covered with the blood of similarly injured and bleeding passengers. This exposure through lacerated skin to the blood of persons with a high probability of being infected with HIV demonstrates an unusual mode of transmission and emphasizes the importance of HIV prevention during travel and of motor vehicle safety.