Exposure to Body Fluids (Non-Healthcare Worker)
Two serious illnesses can be spread through exposure to body fluids:
Most people exposed 1 time to the body fluid of a person infected with HIV or hepatitis don't get the virus. But you should take exposure very seriously. Both HIV and hepatitis virus infection can lead to long-term (chronic) illness and death.
The risk of infection depends on the type of exposure. It also depends on whether the HIV or hepatitis is being treated in the infected person. For HIV, your risk would be close to zero if the person with HIV has their infection well controlled (undetectable) for 6 months or more and takes their HIV medicine as prescribed.
If you have not been vaccinated against hepatitis B, the risk of becoming infected with hepatitis B or C after a single exposure is much higher than with HIV. For needle stick or sexual exposures, the risk is 6 to 30 out of 100 exposures for hepatitis B. The risk of becoming infected after similar exposure to someone with active hepatitis C can be as much as 1 to 10 out of 100 exposures or higher. This is if there are shared injection drug devices, transfusion of an infected blood unit, or among men who have unprotected (condomless) receptive anal intercourse.
If you're in a sexual relationship, discuss your exposure and its risks with your partner. Consider using condoms or not having sex until you know that the person who exposed you is negative, or your follow-up testing is done. And try not to get pregnant during this time. Don't donate blood, tissue, or semen. If you're breastfeeding, discuss with your doctor the risks to your baby.
Testing
The first testing for HIV and hepatitis status will be done on you today. If the status isn't known in the person you were exposed to, try to get that person tested. If that person is positive or unknown, and your results are negative, you'll need to have more blood tests later to find out if you've been infected. It can take up to 3 to 6 months for blood tests to turn positive for hepatitis. If HIV infection has happened, the test usually becomes positive by 1 to 2 months after exposure. But a positive result could rarely be delayed up to 4 to 6 months after exposure. So you may need repeat HIV testing in 6 and 12 weeks. If tests are negative for hepatitis and HIV on final follow-up testing, you can assume that you weren't infected from this exposure.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
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Hepatitis B. To protect you from hepatitis B, treatment will depend on the status of the person who exposed you, and whether you've been vaccinated. If you haven't been vaccinated, you can get the first dose of the vaccine series today.
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Hepatitis C and D. There is no preventive treatment or vaccine for hepatitis C or D.
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HIV. Based on how recently the exposure occurred, the type of exposure, and the risk of HIV in the person you were exposed to, you may need preventive treatment with antiviral medicine. Treatment is 3 oral medicines taken 1 to 2 times a day for 4 weeks. You should start the treatment as soon as possible after the exposure. That means within 24 to 72 hours whenever possible. Treatment may be started before test results are known. It can be stopped if the test results of the person who exposed you are negative.
Talk with your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). If you're at risk for HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP is medicine you take regularly to prevent HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP it works well for preventing HIV.
Facts you need to know before making a treatment decision
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There isn't much information about exactly how well the medicines for post-exposure prevention (prophylaxis) work in people without HIV infection. But the treatment does appear to substantially lower the risk of getting HIV after exposure.
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The antiviral medicines are generally safe to take in the short term. Serious side effects are rare.
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Be sure you understand the risk of passing on the disease and the risks of treatment before making your decision. If you're not sure, ask for more information.
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You may decline or stop post-exposure medicines at any time.
When to contact your doctor
Contact your doctor right away if:
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You have an unexplained fever over 100.4°F (38°C), or as advised.
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You have chills.
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You have swollen lymph glands.
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You have a sore throat.
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You have a rash.
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Your muscles or joints ache.
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You have long-lasting or recurring diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
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You have frequent headaches.
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Your urine is dark urine or your stools are light-colored.
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You have jaundice (yellow color to skin or eyes).
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You have abdominal pain.
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You have unusual and long-lasting fatigue.