HIV and AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) continues to be an enormous public health problem in the United States and worldwide. HIV is transmitted through multiple ways but the primary risk of transmission is through sexual contact or exposure to infected blood. HIV is the virus that causes the illness called AIDS. Patients diagnosed with AIDS can become exposed to opportunistic infections and cancers, and can be discouraged with their prognosis, which is poor without the proper treatment. Importantly, the risk of HIV infection and AIDS poses a concern for all healthcare workers. Prevention, immediate and proper reporting, and treatment of any exposure to infectious blood or body fluid must be followed. Statistics of HIV infection rates for healthcare workers are discussed.