Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
HIV-1 INFECTION IN LOW-RISK POPULATIONS
The Epidemiology of AIDS: Expression, Occurrence, and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection. Kaslow RA and Francis DP, eds. New York, Oxford University Press, p. 242-9, 1989.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90668121 Saah AJ; Dept. of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD 21205
Abstract:
Several types of contact with HIV-1-infected persons fall between casual contact and intensive, repeated exposure to blood or secretions. Individuals having contact at this intermediate level are considered at low risk for HIV-1 infection. Such persons include health care workers, correctional facilities personnel, day care personnel, and, to a lesser extent, household contacts who are not sexual partners. Evidence on transmission from HIV-1-infected individuals to members of these groups is reviewed, and the special considerations needed for very young or impaired children infected with HIV-1 are considered. Accumulating evidence suggests that it is very difficult to acquire HIV-1 infection within the home from contact other than sexual intimacy. Saliva and tears appear to play a very minor, if any, role in transmission. Avoidance of sharing of personal items, such as razors and toothbrushes, seems prudent, however. In one study of 609 parenteral exposures of health care workers to HIV-1, seroconversion occurred in only one. There have been reports of seroconversion after exposure of open cuts to blood from HIV-1-infected patients. One out of 1,200 dentists surveyed in a New York City study was shown to have seroconverted. The risk to those in health care professions is small and can be minimized by comparatively simple precautions. HIV-1 transmission from health care workers to patients has not been reported. In the normal classroom or office setting, the chance of becoming infected with HIV-1 from a child with AIDS is virtually nonexistent. Precautions are appropriate when dealing with body fluids from students. Preschool children or those who are mentally or neurologically impaired are a special group. No evidence exists to show that the risk of HIV-1 transmission is any greater with these groups, but experience with transmission of hepatitis B virus from these children suggests that precautions should be taken with children who cannot control their bodily functions or who have weeping or open lesions. (31 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PREVENTION & CONTROL/ *TRANSMISSION Adult Child, Preschool Female Home Nursing Human HIV Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION HIV-1/*PATHOGENICITY Male Occupational Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL Risk Factors MONOGRAPH REVIEW, TUTORIAL REVIEW 901230
M90C3726
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
