Control of infection in health personnel I: immunisation. Diseases carried by blood and secretions/I>

Abstract

The protection of health personnel against infections transmitted in the work environment is a subject of current concern in the health professions, besides being a legal requirement. Amongst the primary prevention measures against these infections that are highly recommended for all health professionals are the vaccines for hepatitis B, `flu, measles, German measles, mumps and tetanus-diphtheria. Others recommended in special circumstances are those for hepatitis A, tuberculosis, chicken-pox, meningitis A and C, and typhoid fever. The most outstanding diseases carried by organic fluids are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and infection by HIV. These can be transmitted to health professionals through a percutaneous or cutaneous-mucus exposure to such fluids. The greatest risk of infection following one of these accidents is represented by hepatitis B (7% - 30%), followed by hepatitis C (0% - 10%) and infection by HIV (0.3%). The primary prevention measures against these infections consist of applying standard precautionary measures and vaccination against hepatitis B. In case of exposure, secondary prevention measures must be selected after careful consideration of the circumstances of the accident. Administration of specific immuno-globulin against hepatitis B or anti-retrovirus medicines for the prevention of HIV can be recommended.