1. Risk of a health care worker contracting HIV/ AIDS is negligible . However , caution and universal safety precautions must be observed. Although there have been numerous accidents including needle sticks in health care workers from persons with AIDS , there has been only a few cases in which seroconversion has taken place. Though it is unrealistic to say that there is no risk to health care workers, yet the risk of acquiring AIDS is negligible small if the worker observes proper safety measures mentioned below:
(a) Exposed area must immediately be washed thoroughly with soap and waster.
(b) Blood and other body fluids must be removed and cleaned under running tap water while washing with soap.
(c) Notify the accident to the officer in charge infection control.
(d) Exposed person is evaluated for serological evidence of HIV infection as soon as possible after the accident.
(e) If found positive immediately after the accident, it can be concluded that the accident is not the cause of seropositivity (as it takes minimum two weeks for sero conversion).
(f) If found negative, then the evaluation is repeated 1 ½ months , 3 months , 6 months and 12 months after exposure.
(g) If still negative, then it can be concluded that HIV transmission did not occur.
(h) If found positive after 2 weeks than expert opinion shall have to be taken.
