Human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is an important topic for virtually all physicians, but it is especially important to those involved in critical care. Recent surveys indicate that about 5% of all hospitalized patients in the United States are infected, although this rate is highly variable based on geographic location and demographics. Factors of greatest concern to critical care specialists are recognition of HIV infection in the context of diagnostic evaluations, management guidelines for seriously ill patients with late complications, prevention of occupational exposures, and management guidelines when exposures occur. With regard to occupational risks, the major concern is percutaneous injury with exposure to blood or blood body fluid. The efficiency of transmission with a typical needlestick injury is 0.3%. The utility of prophylactic AZT or other nucleoside analogs is not established.