Healthcare Workers: Preventing HIV Infection

HIV is spread from person to person through body fluids (blood, breastmilk, vaginal fluids, semen, and pre-cum). To prevent the spread of HIV, follow the CDC infection control guidelines. These guidelines are there for your health and safety.

Use CDC guidelines

Learn and follow standard precautions. Also, review your employer’s policies. Below are general tips based on the CDC guidelines. They can help protect you from HIV:

• Wear gloves anytime you may come in contact with any body fluid (except sweat), mucous membrane, or broken skin. Change gloves and wash your hands between patients.

• Wash hands fully after contact with body fluids. Also, wash right away after taking off gloves.

• Dispose of needles safely. Put them in a puncture-resistant container right after use. Do not recap, bend, or break needles. Do not remove them from the syringe.

• Wear protective clothing like masks, goggles, and gowns anytime body fluids may splash or spray.

• Keep manual ventilation devices handy. Disposable devices, such as resuscitation bags and mouthpieces, should be easy to see and reach.

Post-exposure prophylaxis

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involves medicines to prevent HIV after a possible exposure. If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, it is important to take quick action.

1. Get evaluated, either at your local ER (emergency room) or at employee health (this should be within hours of exposure).

2. Start post-exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV.

3. Follow up as directed while on post-exposure prophylaxis.

CDC Guidelines

The CDC's infection control guidelines, called Standard Precautions, help prevent the spread of all germs. This includes HIV. Follow them as per your employer’s policies.