HIV/AIDS in Healthcare Workers

Occupational Exposure to HIV Does Occur

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}