Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

HIV transmission (spread) can occur when you have contact with certain body fluids from another person. These fluids include blood, semen, and vaginal fluid. They also include any other body fluid that may have blood in it. You are exposed if these fluids touch an open area of your skin. You also are exposed if the fluids touch a mucus membrane. This is a moist area, such as in the eyes, nose, and mouth. You can be exposed by a needlestick through the skin.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Antiretroviral medicine: These medicines help prevent HIV if you have been exposed. They must be taken for 28 days, unless your primary healthcare provider tells you otherwise. You may be given a starter pack with enough medicine for 1 to 7 days. You may be given medicine for the full 28 days instead. If you receive a starter pack, you must return to your primary healthcare provider in 1 to 7 days. At this visit, you will receive the rest of the medicine.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider as directed:

If you did not receive any treatment after the exposure, you will need to follow up with your primary healthcare provider within 1 week. If you were given antiretrovirals, you will need a follow-up visit in about 2 weeks. Further HIV testing will be needed 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the exposure. You may have HIV testing up to 12 months after the exposure.

Precautions:

In case you are infected, you will need to take steps to keep others from getting sick. These steps can also help you avoid being exposed again:

• Avoid sex, or have safe sex. Safe sex means having sex only with one person who is not infected and who is only having sex with you. It also means using latex condoms each time you have sex.
  
  
• Avoid injection drug use. If you cannot do this, always use needles that are sterile (germ-free).
  
  
• Do not touch other people's sores, cuts, blood, or body fluids without using gloves.
  
  
• Follow all safety rules at your workplace if you are at risk of exposure. Be sure to use safety equipment as needed.
  
  
• Do not breastfeed unless you know you are not infected.

For more information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Road
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
  

Contact your primary healthcare provider if:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have chills or night sweats.
  
  
• You have sore or large lymph nodes in your neck, jaw, armpit, or groin.
  
  
• You feel tired, and it does not go away.
  
  
• You have diarrhea that does not get better.
  
  
• You have lost more than 10 pounds in a short period of time.
  
  
• Your skin is bleeding or bruising.
  
  
• You have white spots or sores in your mouth, throat, vagina, or rectum.
  
  
• You have a cough, shortness of breath, or chest tightness.
  
  
• You notice changes in your menstrual cycle or flow.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms. This may mean you are allergic to your medicine.
  
  
• You have other body changes that worry you.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your illness, medicine, or treatment.

Return to the emergency department if:

• You cannot think clearly.
  
  
• You have a severe headache.
  
  
• You have a stiff neck.
  
  
• You have problems seeing.
  
  
• You have problems with balance, walking, or speech.
  
  
• You have weakness in an arm or leg.
  
  
• You are too short of breath to move.
  
  
• You have chest pain.
  
  
• You are so weak that you cannot stand up.
  
  
• You are unable to drink liquids.
  
  
• You are so depressed you feel you cannot cope any longer.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission (Aftercare Instructions)