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Post-exposure prophylaxis for blood borne viral infections in healthcare workers

Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr George M Varghese, Department of Medicine Unit 3, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, India;
georgemvarghese{at}hotmail.com

Healthcare workers have a high risk of occupational exposure, more so in developing countries, with high incidence of blood borne diseases and prevalence of unsafe practices. Among the various blood borne diseases, the most common and important ones are HIV infection, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Most of the occupational transmission can be prevented and the "standard precaution" has been shown to reduce exposures and hence the transmission of infection. Healthcare workers have to be educated about post-exposure prophylaxis and each institution needs to adopt a clear protocol.

Keywords: blood borne pathogen; healthcare workers; post-exposure prophylaxis; HIV; hepatitis

Abbreviations: HBV, hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; NNRTI, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; NRTI, nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors