Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids

ABSTRACT

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids is an important hazard for health care workers, which places them at a high risk for blood-borne infections including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus and results in psychological and emotional stresses. Several preventive measures have been proposed including pre-exposure [e.g., education, use of standard precautions, use of needle protective devices, and vaccination] and post-exposure [e.g., post-exposure prophylaxis and early detection of disease] prevention. In this article, the Importance of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids and the basic concepts of exposure prevention and management are reviewed