HIV

Needlestick

HIV

Risk seroconversion

- 1 in 250

- 50% less with gloves & blunt needle

US Public Health Service Guidelines

- recommend 2 drug therapy for 4 weeks post exposure (AZT and 3TC)

- consider if patient's virus is resistant, and change medications accordingly

Hepatitis C

Seroconversion risk varied reports

1% of US population

0.1% of Australia

M:F = 20:1

Groups

- homosexual 80%

- IV User 5%

- heterosexual 8%

- haemophilia 2%

- blood transfusion 1.5 %

Unprotected Sex

Blood

- needle sharing

- blood products

- accidental transmission with infected blood in health care setting