Open Menu

Please use the Search Box at the top to find information quickly. Just type in key-words and click "Search". Thanks.

(We are constantly adding new content. What you don't find now will be found eventually!)

NEEDLE INJURY AT WORK & HIV CONCERN

needle injury at work image healthtips images

Sharps injuries or blood/mucous membrane exposure poses a risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis and HIV.

The exposure site should be washed immediately with soap and water, and mucous membranes should be flushed with water.

The average risk for HIV transmission after a percutaneous exposure to HIV-infected blood is 1 in 300. After a mucous membrane exposure, risk is 1 in 1000.

Start antiretroviral PEP (postexposure prophylaxis) as soon as possible (e.g. within hours) after exposure and continue for 4 weeks unless source is found HIV-negative.

Two-drug therapy is used if the HIV status of the source is unknown (e.g. needle from a sharps container). Examples include zidovudine/lamivudine (Combivir) and tenofovir/emtricitabine (Truvada).

Additional drugs (e.g. lopinavir/ritonavir – Kaletra) may be necessary if the exposure is severe (e.g. deep puncture) or the source has symptomatic HIV infection.