Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis

This report updates US Public Health Service recommendations for the management of health-care personnel (HCP) who have occupational exposure to blood and/or other body fluids that might contain HIV. The principles of exposure management remain unchanged, but recommended HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimens and the duration of HIV follow-up testing for exposed personnel have been updated. The report emphasizes the importance of primary prevention strategies, prompt reporting and management of occupational exposures; adherence to recommended HIV PEP regimens when indicated for an exposure; expert consultation in management of exposures; follow-up of exposed HCP to improve adherence to PEP; and careful monitoring for adverse events related to treatment, as well as for virologic, immunologic and serologic signs of infection. Clinicians are advised to consider occupational exposures as urgent medical concerns, and institutions should take steps to ensure that staff are aware of both the importance of, and the institutional mechanisms available for, reporting and seeking care for such exposures.