TABLE 8–1.

RISK OF EXPOSURE TO COMMON INFECTIOUS AGENTS

AGENT	% OF HOSPITAL PATIENTS	RISK OF INFECTION AFTER PERCUTANEOUS INJURY∗	RISK AFTER MUCOCUTANEOUS EXPOSURE	RISK OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE	POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS AVAILABLE
HIV	~ 0.2 - 14%	0.3%	0.09%	Possible, but very rare	YES − effective
HCV	~ 2 - 5%	1.8%	Rare	Yes, but rapidly degrades	NO – not shown to be effective
HBV	~ 2%	30%	Yes, probably high	Occurs, can be found in dried blood ~ 1 week	YES − effective
TB	~ 10%	Yes – risk not quantified	Yes – risk not quantified	Yes	NO – treatment initiated only if skin test converts

^∗Percutaneous injury: needlestick injury (majority) or other penetrating injury with a sharp object (e.g., scalpel, broken glass).