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oai:www.peertechzpublications.org:10.17352/2455-3786.000123 2017-09-07 PTZ.JHCSR:VOL4

Occupational Acquisition of HIV Infection by Healthcare Workers in the United States Charles John Palenik<p>Healthcare Is the fastest growing sector (5.6% increase in 2016) of the United States economy,comprising 17.8% ($3,2 trillion) of the gross domestic product. There are more than 18,000,000 American healthcare professionals (HCP) [1,2].</p><p>HCP face many noninfectious occupational hazards. This includes hazardous chemicals, latex allergies, lasers, radiation, stress, violence, strains, sprains and heat/fi re. Also, HCP are commonly exposed to infectious agents, including the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) while working.</p><p>Occupational blood and body fl uid exposure to bloodborne&nbsp; pathogens is a serious public health concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 5.6 million workers in the healthcare industry and related occupations are at risk for a variety of occupational hazards [1,3,4]. This<br>often occurs because of sharp injuries (e.g., needles, blades, pointed instruments and broken glass and instruments), direct patient care (direct contact and inhalation) and a contaminated environment (indirect contact). Nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses among HCP are the highest among any industry<br>sector [2,5,6].<br></p> Journal of HIV for Clinical and Scientific Research - Peertechz Publications 2017-09-07 Review Article https://doi.org/10.17352/2455-3786.000123 en Copyright © Charles John Palenik et al.