Postexposure prophylaxis in response to exposure of health care personnel to blood to other body fluids has been proven to reduce the risk for HIV infection (Worthington, 2001). The CDC recommends that all health care providers who have sustained a significant exposure to HIV be counseled and offered anti-HIV postexposure prophylaxis, if appropriate. Some clinicians are considering using postexposure prophylaxis for patients exposed to HIV from high-risk sexual behavior or possible contact through injection drug use.
This use of postexposure prophylaxis is controversial because of concern that it may be substituted for safer sex practices and safer injection drug use. Postexposure prophylaxis should have not been considered an acceptable method of preventing HIV infection. The medications recommended for postexposure prophylaxis are those used to treat established HIV infection. Ideally, prophylaxis needs to start immediately after exposure; therapy started more than 72 hours after exposure is thought to offer no benefit.
The recommended course of therapy involves taking the prescribed mediations for 4 weeks. Those who choose postexposure prophylaxis must be prepared for the side effects of the medications and must be willing to face the unknown long-term risks, because HIV often becomes resistant to the medications used to treat it. If the person becomes infected despite prophylaxis, viral drug resistance may reduce future treatment options. The cost is also of concern; the cost of a drug regimen ranges from $500 to more than $1,000, plus the costs of testing and counseling.
Health insurance generally does not cover the costs of medications, laboratory tests, and counseling. VI. Conclusion Although many infectious diseases, such as poliomyelitis and tuberculosis, have been all but eliminated as health risks in developed countries, sexually transmitted diseases are still rampant. HIV does not actually destroy the immune system. In fact, the B-cells of the immune system, which actually attack invading bacteria and viruses, are not harmed by HIV.
Instead, HIV attacks the T-4 cells inoperative, invading germs wreak havoc on the body, because the immune system is incapable of fighting the infections, Research on HIV and the nature of immune system continues at a furious pace, and much has been learned in recent years. Still, most experts believe that an AIDS vaccine is a distant goal, not likely to be reached in the next decade.
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