INFECTIOUS DISEASE
TABLE 8.9. Nonoccupational HIV Post-Substantial-Risk Exposure Treatment Guidelines
TIMECOURSE SOURCE=UNKNOWNHIV STATUS SOURCE=KNOWNHIV+
<72 hours Case-by-case determination 28-day course of HAART (three-drug
regimen), start ASAP
>72 hours No HAART recommended No HAART recommended
Patients with a known
response to Hep B vaccination
(ie,HBsAg positive) are
considered protectedand do
not require Hep B PEP
following a possible exposure.
■ HIV prophylaxis nonoccupational algorithm
■ Negligible exposure risk
■ Urine, nasal secretions, saliva, sweat, or tears not visibly contami-
nated with blood
■ HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis not recommended
■ Substantial exposure risk
■ Exposure of vagina, rectum, eye, mouth or other mucous mem-
brane, nonintact skin, or percutaneous contact
■ Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, rectal secretions, breast milk, or
any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood
■ See Table 8.9 for treatment guidelines.
Hepatitis B
Health care workers in the United States are required to receive Hepatitis B
vaccination. For this reason, health care workers generally do not need to receive
PEP to prevent Hep B transmission following possible exposure. Nonvaccinated
individuals and those known not to have responded to vaccination with a high-
risk exposure should receive:
■ Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG)
■ Hepatitis B vaccination: Usually given as three doses over 4–6 months with
first dose given with HBIG in different site
■ Individuals who have been vaccinated but who did not receive postvaccine
testing to confirm the presence of the HBsAg should receive a vaccine booster.
SPECIAL WOUND INFECTIONS
An 80-year-old male presents with pain and stiffness in his masseter mus-
cles 1 week after stepping on a rusty nail. Muscle rigidity has progressed to
his neck, torso, and upper extremities. What treatment needs to be initiated
before wound debridement?
Tetanus immunoglobulin.
Tetanus
■ The spore-forming, anaerobic, Gram-positive rod Clostridium tetani
■ Ubiquitous in soil, dust, and animal feces
■ Risk factors
■ IV drug users
■ Temperate climates (Texas, Florida, California)
■ Elderly (>60 years old)