Vol 3, No 2 (2001)
Published online: 2002-02-08
Surgeon and HIV exposure - facing the risk
Chirurgia Polska 2001;3(2):105-110.
Abstract
Many surgeons are concerned about acquiring the infection during medical procedures on HIV infected
persons, although the average risk is very low. This article describes the first and the only one documented
case of occupational HIV transmission in Europe concerning an Italian surgeon. The factors increasing the
risk of contracting HIV infection are considered. Polish recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxis
are presented. As the exposures to HIV among health care workers are not totally preventable, the necessity
of knowledge of the exact procedures in cases of contact with potentially infected body fluids is
pointed as a way to achieve a successful outcome.
Keywords: HIVoccupational exposurepost-exposure prophylaxis