Occupational infections: bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers and zoonoses
Transmission risks after a sharps injury and why they differ between HBV, HCV and HIV, post-exposure management, the CDNA rules for healthcare workers living with bloodborne viruses, and the Australian occupational zoonoses (Q fever, leptospirosis, brucellosis, psittacosis, lyssavirus, Hendra).
Tier 2Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Healthcare workers face bloodborne viruses through sharps and splashes. Transmission depends on the virus concentration in blood and how much blood is inoculated.
- HBV is the most transmissible and is preventable by vaccination. HCV has no PEP. HIV PEP works best within hours and must start within 72 hours.
- Healthcare workers living with a bloodborne virus can perform exposure-prone procedures if their viral load meets the CDNA thresholds.
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Sources
- Australian National Guidelines for the Management of Healthcare Workers Living with Blood Borne Viruses and Healthcare Workers who Perform Exposure Prone Procedures at Risk of Exposure to Blood Borne VirusesAU/NZCommunicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA), 2019
- Australian National Guidelines for HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (4th ed.)AU/NZASHM, 2025
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: Q fever; Hepatitis B; Vaccination for people at occupational riskAU/NZATAGI, Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026
- Medicine shortage information: Q-VAX (Coxiella burnetii vaccine)AU/NZTherapeutic Goods Administration, 2026
- Patel P et al. Estimating per-act HIV transmission risk: a systematic review. AIDS 2014;28:1509-19AIDS, 2014
- Cardo DM et al. A case-control study of HIV seroconversion in health care workers after percutaneous exposure. N Engl J Med 1997;337:1485-90New England Journal of Medicine, 1997
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
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