Management of Occupational Exposures to Blood-Borne Viruses

Abstract

Exposures to blood-borne pathogens pose a serious occupational threat to health care workers. Safer needle devices for performing phlebotomy and other procedures and universal infection-control precautions will not completely eliminate the risk, and prophylactic treatment will remain an important component of prevention efforts. This article will review post-exposure care for the three blood-borne pathogens that are most commonly involved in occupational transmission — hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Assessment of ExposureOccupational exposures include contact of the eyes, mouth, other mucous membranes, or broken skin and parenteral contact with blood or other . . .