title: Assessing the risk of HIV infection after an isolated exposure incident.
abstract: The higher the plasma viral load of an HIV-infected person, the greater the risk that their blood, sperm and vaginal secretions are infectious. The risk of infection from splashes onto non-intact skin or a mucous membrane is virtually non-existent if the exposed area is washed within 15 minutes. There is almost no risk of HIV transmission from nasal secretions, saliva, urine and vomit, unless they contain visible blood. The risk associated with sexual exposure to HIV varies enormously, depending on the type of sexual activity: almost non-existent for insertive fellatio; estimated at 1.5% for passive (receptive) anal intercourse with ejaculation inside the rectum. The risk of HIV transmission following injury from a sharp object contaminated with blood has been estimated at about 0.3%.
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000821:virology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D012306:Risk; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents