AIDS and HIV: the dilemma of the health care worker.
Although much has been done to study the characteristics and etiology of AIDS, there is still much debate over the methods of transmission, the best techniques of prevention, and the employability of those infected. Over half the people surveyed would no longer seek medical attention from a health care provider if they knew that the provider had AIDS or HIV infection. This statistic demonstrates an almost irrational fear on the part of the public, since the chance of actual transmission from health care worker to client is minimal. Over 10 years of epidemiologic studies of HIV infected health care workers who performed highly invasive procedures have indicated that no transmissions have occurred. Despite the laws and recommendations for employability of infected workers, there still exists widespread discrimination against individuals infected with HIV or individuals with AIDS, largely due to the confusion generated by the various guidelines and recommendations.
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D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006281:Health Occupations; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010361:Patients; D014481:United States