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Alan R. Lifson, MD, MPH; Kenneth G. Castro, MD; Eugene McCray, MD; Harold W. Jaffe, MD

JAMA. 1986;256(23):3231-3234.

Abstract
Information obtained for all persons with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reported to the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, includes a question about employment in a health care or clinical laboratory setting. As of May 1, 1986, a total of 922 (5.5%) of 16 748 adults with AIDS reported employment in such settings. Ninety-five percent of these health care workers belonged to recognized high-risk groups for AIDS; the proportion with "no identified risk" has not increased with time. All AIDS patients (including health care workers) who do not belong to high-risk groups are referred for further investigation. Of 88 health care workers initially reported with no identified risk, ten were from countries where heterosexual transmission is believed to play a major role; additional information was unobtainable or incomplete for 17 individuals. Of 61 persons on whom interviews or other follow-up information was obtained, 44 (73%) were reclassified. Specific occupational exposures that could be implicated as the source of human immunodeficiency virus infection were not identified for any health care workers with AIDS. A review of surveillance data supports other studies indicating that the risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission in the occupational setting is low.

(JAMA 1986;256:3231-3234)

Author Affiliations
From the AIDS Program (Drs Lifson, Castro, and Jaffe), and the Hospital Infectious Program (Dr McCray), Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Centers for Disease Control, AIDS Program, Bldg 6, Room 242, Atlanta, GA 30333 (Dr Lifson)

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