HIV and Occupational Exposure

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Occupational HIV transmission is extremely rare.

Only 58 cases of confirmed occupational HIV transmission to health care personnel have been reported in the United States. An additional 150 possible transmissions have also been reported to CDC.*

This chart shows the by exposure type. The risk of transmission is less than 1% among personnel exposed to a needle-stick involving contaminated blood. The risk of transmission due to splashes with body fluids is near zero even if the fluids have blood in them. The risk of transmission due to fluid splashes to intact skin or mucous membranes is extremely low, even if blood is involved.

How can I prevent occupational HIV transmission?

Follow Standard Precautions at all times. Assume that blood and other body fluids are potentially infectious.

Use gloves, goggles, and other barriers when anticipating contact with blood or body fluids.
Use gloves, goggles, and other barriers when anticipating contact with blood or body fluids.
Wash hands and other skin surfaces immediately after contact with blood or body fluids.
Wash hands and other skin surfaces immediately after contact with blood or body fluids.
Be careful when handling and disposing of sharp instruments during and after use.
Be careful when handling and disposing of sharp instruments during and after use.
Use safety devices to prevent needle-stick injuries.
Use safety devices to prevent needle-stick injuries.
Dispose of used syringes or other sharp instruments in a sharps container.
Dispose of used syringes or other sharp instruments in a sharps container.

What if an HIV exposure happens at work?

If you are exposed to HIV at work, report your exposure to the appropriate person, and see a doctor or visit an emergency room right away.

If you are exposed to HIV at work, report your exposure to the appropriate person, and see a doctor or visit an emergency room right away.

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Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can reduce your chance of getting HIV infection. It must be started within 72 hours (3 days) after you may have been exposed to HIV. But the sooner you start PEP, the better. Every hour counts!

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Clinicians caring for personnel who’ve had a possible exposure can call the PEPline (1-888-448-4911) for advice on managing the exposure. Clinicians who administer PEP should tell patients about possible side effects and follow patients closely to make sure they take their medicine correctly.

This chart shows how organizations can make a difference. Occupational exposure is considered an urgent medical concern and should be managed immediately after possible exposure – the sooner the better; every hour counts. Review CDC’s guidelines for the management of occupational HIV exposures. When personnel are exposed, CDC recommends immediate treatment with PEP to prevent infection. Train personnel in infection control procedures. Remind personnel to report occupational exposures immediately after they occur. Develop and distribute written policies for the management of occupational exposures. Promote the use safety devices to prevent sharps injuries. Report all cases of occupational HIV exposure to state health department HIV surveillance staff and the CDC coordinator at 404-639-2050.

View CDC’s Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and
Recommendations for Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).

* Based on the most recent data available in December 2013. Of these, only 1 confirmed case has been reported since 1999.

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Page last reviewed: September 5, 2019
Content source: Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention