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Previous Volume 332:444-451 February 16, 1995 Number 7 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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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 Exposure

Occupational exposures include contact of the eyes, mouth, other mucous membranes, or broken skin and parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Hepatitis B Virus

Risk of Transmission

Indications for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Post-Exposure Therapy

Advice and Follow-Up after Exposure to HBV

Hepatitis C Virus

Risk of Transmission

Post-Exposure Therapy

Advice and Follow-Up

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Risk of Transmission

Approaches to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Efficacy and Toxicity of Zidovudine in Health Care Workers

Current Recommendations

Advice and Follow-Up

Future Goals

Source Information

From the Departments of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, and the Epidemiology and Prevention Interventions Center, San Francisco General Hospital — both in San Francisco.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Gerberding at Medical Service 5H-22, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110.

References

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