title: Occupationally acquired infections and the healthcare worker.
abstract: Much of the recent research related to occupational infections in healthcare workers has focused on the evaluation of the effectiveness of preventive measures, the cost-effectiveness of such measures, and alternative approaches to preventing common occupational infections. This article reviews recent information on healthcare workers about occupationally acquired diseases and considers the risks from unusual or re-emerging pathogens. Among recent advances of note are effective post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, approaches to achieving immunity to hepatitis B in vaccine non-responders, better diagnostic tests for hepatitis C and improved equipment for preventing blood exposure and tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration, Maryland Health Care System and University of Maryland, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cloeren
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Perl