title: [Post-occupational exposure HIV infection in health workers: an update and preventive measures].
abstract: The author reviews the worldwide references concerning the problem of HIV infection in health care workers (HCW) after occupational exposure in its different aspects: infection risk rate (0.36-0.4%); common types of exposure (percutaneous, contact, and mucomembranous); main risk factors related to the lesion, the patient (donor) and HCW (receptor); and preventive attitude to be adopted. In what concerns prevention, the author emphasises the universal precautions (nosocomial infection prevention) and drug prophylaxis with anti retroviral drugs-reasons for administration, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the doubts and certainties regarding the risk-benefit, dosage, duration of treatment, and follow-up. Based on current facts, a management guideline, that is in practice in Santa Maria Hospital, is proposed to challenge this controversial condition, including post-exposure drug use and its effect on hospital policy. The future perspective is described, bearing in mind all the facilities available.
authors.affiliation: Servio de Doenças Infecciosas, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Boaventura
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016635:Universal Precautions
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents