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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is transmitted through sexual contact and exposure to infected blood or blood components and perinatally from mother to neonate.
Standard precautions combine the major features of universal precautions (UP) and body substance isolation (BSI), and are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions (except sweat), non-intact skin and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents.
Special infection-control precautions necessary to prevent transmission of AIDS to health care workers and other patients require greater use of protective clothing similar to that recommended for hepatitis. Personnel must be trained in the prevention of transmission of bloodborne infections.
Best protection against HIV and other transmissible infections is attention to every detail of asepsis, with special care to avoid injury during operation. Each hospital should have clear guidelines for the management of injury or exposure to infectious materials.
The risk of transmission from an infected HCW to patients is very low; estimated to be less than 0.5%. 1 Albeit the minimal risk, the transmission of HIV in health care setting is often a cause of anxiety.
HIV can spread through: Unprotected vaginal or anal sex – that is, sex without condoms, or other forms of barrier protection with someone who has HIV. (Unprotected oral sex is extremely low risk for the transmission of HIV.). Sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment.
1 lip 2000 · To minimize the risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission from HCWs to patients, all HCWs should adhere to standard precautions, including the appropriate use of hand washing, protective barriers, and care in the use and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments.
