Human immunodeficiency virus: risk of exposure among health care workers at a southern urban hospital.
To assess the risk of exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among health care workers in a southern urban setting, random screening for antibodies to HIV was undertaken. Patients who were admitted for major trauma, for medical emergencies, or in labor were screened. Of 534 sera screened, 11 (2%) were seropositive. All but two of the seropositive patients were men. Rates were similar among black and white patients. Seven patients could be placed into an established risk group, but only one patient was known to have AIDS upon presentation to the emergency room. The mean age of seropositive individuals was 30.9 years; there were similar seroprevalence rates in each of four age groups among men. We conclude that there is a substantial risk of exposure to HIV in trauma and medical emergency centers; therefore all health care workers should practice universal barrier precautions whenever exposure to a patient's blood or body fluids is likely.
Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112.
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Risi
R H
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Gaumer
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Weeks
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Leete
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Sanders
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D004630:Emergencies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006262:Health; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000276:immunology; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008489:Medical Indigency; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014504:Urban Health; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000276:immunology
D015483:HIV Antibodies