Occupational post-exposure HIV prophylaxis
Journal Article
2004
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South African Medical Journal
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
HIV and other bloodborne infectious agents, such as hepatitis B or C, can be transmitted to health care workers during occupational exposure. In all occupational exposure incidents proper documentation is essential in order to claim compensation at a later date. This article is limited to a brief overview of the medical management of occupational exposure to HIV only. The risk of a health care worker acquiring HIV following percutaneous occupational exposure is 0.3%.1 The risk following mucous membrane exposure is 0.09%.1 Zidovudine postexposure reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by about 80%.2 The current approach to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is to stratify the exposures by risk and to treat accordingly. In many instances PEP is not indicated.
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Reference:
Maartens, G. (2004). Occupational post-exposure HIV prophylaxis: clinical practice: SAMJ forum. South African Medical Journal, 94(8), p-626.