Occupational post-exposure HIV prophylaxis

Maartens, Gary

Occupational post-exposure HIV prophylaxis

Journal Article

2004

Journal Title

South African Medical Journal

Link to Journal

http://www.samj.org.za

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Division of Clinical Pharmacology

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

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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