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Occupational HIV Transmission and Prevention Among Health Care Workers

This information sheet provides recommendations from the CDC regarding the prevention of occupational transmission of HIV to health care workers (HCWs). The primary means of preventing the HCW's occupational exposure to HIV is to follow infection control precautions with the assumption that the blood and other body fluids from all patients are potentially infectious. Plans for postexposure management of HCWs should be in place, and the administration of antiretroviral drugs as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be considered. CDC has issued guidelines for the management of HCW exposures to HIV and recommendations for PEP. Continued work in the following areas is needed to reduce the risk of occupational HIV transmission to HCWs: administrative efforts (e.g., training and monitoring HCWs on infection control measures), develop and promote the use of safety devices, and monitor the effects of PEP.
Audiences:
Caregivers of Persons with HIV/AIDS
Nurses
Physicians
Workplace Educators
Population:
Health Professionals
Focus Area:
HIV and AIDS
Topics/Subjects:
Prevention
Transmission
Workplace Issues
Subjects:
Health Care Workers
Occupational Safety and Health
Publication Date:
2015
Series:
CDC Fact Sheet
Format:
Information Sheet
2 p.: col., refs.
Last Updated Date:
Publication ID:
36122