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HIV/AIDS in Healthcare Workers

Occupational Exposure to HIV Does Occur

By Mark Cichocki, R.N., About.com

Updated: September 14, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Susan Olender, MD

HIV can be transmitted in the workplace. HIV occupational exposure does occur as does HIV/AIDS in healthcare workers. These are the latest figures related to occupational exposure to HIV among health care workers.

Healthcare Workers Reported to Have AIDS

  • Nurses: 5,378

  • Health aides: 5,638

  • Technicians: 3,182

  • Physicians: 1,792

  • Therapists: 1,082

  • Dental workers: 492

  • Paramedics: 476

  • Surgeons: 122

  • Other: 5,050

  • Total: 23,212

Seroconversion After an Occupational Exposure

  • Nurse
    • Documented: 24
    • Possible: 35

  • Lab technician (clinical)
    • Documented: 16
    • Possible: 17

  • Physician (non surgical)
    • Documented: 6
    • Possible: 12

  • Lab technician (nonclinical)
    • Documented: 3
    • Possible: 0

  • Housekeeper/maintenance worker
    • Documented: 2
    • Possible: 13

  • Technician (surgical)
    • Documented: 2
    • Possible: 2

  • Embalmer/morgue technician
    • Documented: 1
    • Possible: 2

  • Health aide/attendant
    • Documented: 1
    • Possible: 15

  • Respiratory therapist
    • Documented: 1
    • Possible: 2

  • Technician (dialysis)
    • Documented: 1
    • Possible: 3

  • Dentist and dental worker
    • Documented: 0
    • Possible: 6

  • EMT/paramedic
    • Documented: 0
    • Possible: 12

  • Physician (surgical)
    • Documented: 0
    • Possible: 6

  • Other technician/therapist
    • Documented: 0
    • Possible: 9

  • Other healthcare occupation
    • Documented: 0
    • Possible: 5

  • Total
    • Documented: 57
    • Possible: 139

Statistics provided by The Centers of Disease Control - Updated 9/14/07

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