22 May 2003
Occupational exposure to HIV infection in health care workers
Anita Małgorzata WnukMed Sci Monit 2003; 9(5): CR197-200 :: ID: 11078
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of occupational exposure to HIV infection in health care workers (HCWs).
Material/Methods: A survey from 4 hospitals between February 1995 and May 2001 identified 28 HCWs who had been exposed to HIV. The type of exposure to HIV, the circumstances of the incident, the
safety precautions applied, and epidemiological information were evaluated in each case. A blood specimen for HIV serological testing was collected at the baseline visit and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months follow-up.
Results: The study population consisted of 24 women and 4 men, mean age 34.7±5.8, including 15 nurses, 9 physicians, 2 nursing assistants, 1 morgue worker, and 1 medical student. These
workers had been exposed to blood and infectious body fluid from patients who had AIDS (17 exposures), were HIV-antibody positive and symptomatic (3 exposures), or were HIV-antibody positive and asymptomatic (8 exposures). The exposure types included percutaneous injury (22) and blood or infectious body fluid contact with mucous membranes (2) or intact skin (4). Post-exposure chemoprophylaxis was used by 18 HCWs, 12 of whom reported side
effects. None of the HCWs was HIV-seropositive in follow-up after occupational exposure.
Conclusions: Nurses are most at risk for occupational exposure to HIV infection. Post-exposure chemoprophylaxis is effective. Routine post-exposure management is also a good instrument to detect
serological markers of HBV and HCV infection among HCWs and patients.
Keywords: Anti-HIV Agents - administration & dosage, Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional, HIV Infections - epidemiology, HIV Infections - prevention & control, HIV Infections - transmission, Health Personnel, Needlestick Injuries - epidemiology, Nurses, Occupational Exposure, Poland - epidemiology
Editorial
01 May 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: First Regulatory Approval for Adoptive Cell Therapy with Autologous Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) – Lifileucel (Amtagvi)DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944927
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944927
In Press
16 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Diagnostic Efficiency of ACR-TIRADS Score for Differentiating Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules of Vario...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943228
08 May 2024 : Clinical Research
Effect of Individualized PEEP Guided by Driving Pressure on Diaphragm Function in Patients Undergoing Lapar...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944022
21 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Impact of Serum Vitamin D, B6, and B12 and Cognitive Functions on Quality of Life in Peri- and Postmenopaus...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943249
17 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Protective Role of TRPC3 Gene Polymorphism (rs10518289) in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome Among ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942667
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952