Clinical Manual for Management of the HIV-Infected ... - myCME.com

Nonoccupational Postexposure Prophylaxis
Background
Although avoiding exposure to HIV is the only
reliable way of preventing HIV infection, postexposure
prophylaxis (PEP) can decrease the risk of infection
after exposure to HIV. Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy is
an important prophylactic intervention in appropriate
persons with nonoccupational exposures (eg, sexual
contact; sharing of injection drug needles or other
equipment), as well as those with occupational
exposures (eg, needlesticks). The U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services has established
guidelines for nonoccupational PEP (nPEP) based on
data from animal models, perinatal clinical trials, and
observational studies.
Overall, the data suggest that nPEP is more likely
to be effective when the exposure is a single episode
and nPEP is initiated in a timely manner. It is not
appropriate for cases of multiple sexual exposures or
injection drug use (IDU) exposures over time or for
exposures that occurred more than 72 hours before
starting nPEP treatment (Figure 1).
The model for nPEP is derived in part from protocols
for occupational PEP (eg, in terms of risk stratification,
pretreatment testing, timing of treatment, treatment
regimens, and duration of treatment). However, the
recommendations for PEP and nPEP are distinct from
each other and should not be confused. The nPEP
guidelines exclude exposures to workers in health
care, public safety, sanitation, and laboratory settings.
Guidelines for the management of these occupational
exposures to HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and
hepatitis C virus (HCV) are available at: http://www.
aidsinfo.nih.gov.
S: Subjective
The patient reports potential exposure to HIV through
a sexual encounter or the sharing of needles or other
equipment for intravenous drug use.
Take a thorough history of the specific sexual or druguse
activities and the time the exposure occurred, the
HIV status of the source person (if known), and HIV
risk factors of the source person (if HIV status is not
known). In cases of sexual assault, evidence collection
and specific paperwork may be required as well.
Section 2—Health Maintenance and Disease Prevention | 2–13
O: Objective
Examine for trauma and for signs or symptoms of
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which may
increase the risk of HIV transmission. In injection drug
users, examine for abscesses and signs or symptoms of
infection. For women who may be pregnant, perform a
pregnancy test.
A: Assessment
Assess potential exposures to HIV, other STDs and
bloodborne pathogens. The risk of HIV infection
depends on the HIV status of the source and on the
characteristics of the exposure. The estimated risk of
HIV exposure will determine whether nPEP should
be offered. Figure 1 presents an algorithm for risk
evaluation and treatment decisions.
Figure 1. Algorithm for Evaluation and Treatment of Possible
Nonoccupational HIV Exposures
Source: Antiretroviral Postexposure Prophylaxis After Sexual, Injection-Drug Use, or Other Nonoccupational
Exposure to HIV in the United States, Recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. January 2005. See http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5402a1.htm#fig1 for
original image.