CDC Fact Sheet - December 4, 1993
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

In another case to be reported in the CDC's MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT, an adolescent with hemophilia became infected with HIV from his older brother, who had hemophilia and HIV infection. Transmission most likely involved exposure of the younger brother to the HIV-infected blood of the older one. On one occasion, the two shaved with the same razor, and both cut themselves with it. Both brothers administered IV infusions at home and shared the same needle-disposal container; however, neither brother could recall being exposed to the other's needles.

In an editorial in the same issue of the NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, CDC scientists emphasized that transmission in the household setting is extremely rare. In 17 studies involving over 1100 persons who lived in the same households with HIV-infected persons, none became infected. Nevertheless, to prevent even such rare occurrences, precautions, as described in previously published guidelines, should be taken in all settings--including the home--to prevent exposure to the blood of persons who are HIV-infected, at risk for HIV infection, or whose infection and risk status is unknown.

The editorial also stressed that rare cases such as these should be viewed in perspective. The vast majority of HIV infections are acquired through the well-recognized routes--through sex or contaminated needles or from mother to child. HIV cannot be transmitted by activities such as working, eating, or being in the same room with an infected person--unless there is exposure through sex, needles, or direct contact with the infected person's blood. Because the risk of HIV transmission in settings such as schools and day care centers is extremely low and can be reduced by precautions to prevent exposures to blood, CDC does not plan to revise 1985 guidelines for school attendance, day care or foster care of HIV-infected children based on these rare cases.