HIV Transmission from Health Care Worker to Patient: What Is the Risk?

  1. Mary E. Chamberland, MD, MPH; and
  2. David M. Bell, MD
  1. Centers for Disease Control
    Atlanta, Georgia 30333

    Excerpt

    The epidemiologic and laboratory investigation of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from an infected dentist to five patients (1,2) presents us with hard questions. What is the risk of transmission of HIV from health care worker to patient? How can this risk be quantified, or at best, characterized? How might this risk be reduced?

    We know several facts about HIV transmission in the health care setting. First, blood is the single most important source of HIV infection. Second, exposure to blood through the percutaneous route is significantly more likely to transmit HIV than is mucous membrane or cutaneous contact.

    Article and Author Information

    • Requests for Reprints: Mary E. Chamberland, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop A07, Atlanta, GA 30333.

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    1. Ann Intern Med May 15, 1992 vol. 116 no. 10 871-873
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