HIV and other viruses in surgery: a continued occupational risk

Hepatitis viruses and HIV represent known and suspected occupational risks to surgeons. A better understanding of these diseases will allow surgeons to provide better and more compassionate care for their patients. It is essential that surgeons view blood as a toxic substance in the operating room. Reducing potential risks can be achieved best by improvement of operating room barriers, modification of techniques used in operations, and a prompt response when blood contact or exposure occurs. Mandatory or socially imposed voluntary testing for HIV testing for patients and physicians (1) is unnecessary; (2) is expensive; and (3) continues the socio-political debate about this disease. It is time for HIV to be treated like a disease and not a social pariah. To do otherwise will result in denial of care for patients and will result in yet another adversarial issue to be interposed between surgeons and patients.