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Blood-borne infections in healthcare workers in South Africa

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Theresa M Rossouw, Marietjie van Rooyen, J Murray Louw, Karin Louise Richter

Abstract


The risks associated with infection of healthcare workers and students with blood-borne pathogens, specifically HIV, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, are often neglected. South Africa (SA) currently has no official policies or guidelines in place for the prevention and management of these infections. This article reviews the available data and international guidelines with regard to infected healthcare practitioners and makes minimum recommendations for the SA setting.


Authors' affiliations

Theresa M Rossouw, Departments of Family Medicine and Immunology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Marietjie van Rooyen, Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, South Africa

J Murray Louw, Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Karin Louise Richter, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria and National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa

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Keywords

Occupational exposure; Blood-borne viruses

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2014;104(11):732-735. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.8518

Article History

Date submitted: 2014-06-02
Date published: 2014-07-01

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