| Agent |
Disease |
Signs/Symptoms |
Epidemiology |
Risk of Exposure |
HIV
(Human-
Immunodeficiency Virus) |
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) |
Possible flu-like illness, depressed immunity, enhanced susceptibility to
opportunistic diseases |
1.5 million infected in U.S.; roughly 185 occupationally transmitted cases since 1981 |
0.3% risk of seroconversion after needlestick injury
involving blood from an HIV seropositive patient (no vaccine) |
HBV
(Hepatitis B Virus) |
Inflammation of liver, liver infection, cirrhosis, liver cancer |
Possible flu-like illness, jaundice, dark urine,extreme fatigue, nausea, abdominal and
joint pain, rash |
1.25 million infected in the US; A decline in occupationally transmitted cases
annually estimated from 12,000 in 1985 to 1,000 in 1994. |
6-30% risk of seroconversion after needlestick injury involving blood
from an HBV seropositive patient (vaccine) |
HCV
(Hepatitis C Virus) |
Same as HBV |
Same as HBV |
Estimated 4 million HCV carriers; 175,000 documented cases of HCV in US annually.
Estimated 560 to 1,120 occupationally transmitted cases. |
4-10% risk of seroconversion after needlestick injury involving blood
from an HCV seropositive patient (no vaccine) |
