Drug Seems to Cut AIDS Infection for Workers Stuck with Needles

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Drug Seems to Cut AIDS Infection for Workers Stuck with Needles

New York Times (12/22/95) P. A32
Altman, Lawrence K.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that AZT appears to decrease by nearly 80 percent the risk of HIV infection for health workers accidentally jabbed with needles. With the help of British and French health officials, the CDC assessed 31 health care workers who became infected after such injuries and who had no other AIDS risk factors. The researchers determined that the workers' risk of infection was increased if the needle went in deep, had been obviously contaminated, or had punctured a vein or artery. In addition, needles taken from a person dying of AIDS, when HIV is frequently most concentrated, heightened the risk of infection. Dr. Julie Louise Gerberding, head of San Francisco General Hospital's infection control program, noted that although there were limitations in the research, the resulting data was likely the most useful scientists would find. The CDC intends to discuss the need for new guidelines on needlestick injuries, which can also transmit hepatitis B and C, in April. Related Stories: Washington Times (12/22) P. A12; Baltimore Sun (12/22) P. 7A

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