Safety Considerations for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Pathology Department Workers Exposed to Infected Materials and Patients

The risk of occupational transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to health care workers with intensive exposure to HIV infected patients was considered, because the author autopsied an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient in February 1990. A few case reports suggested that the risk of HIV infection incurred when health care workers are exposed to blood or body fluids of HIV infected patients through accidental needle-stick exposure or contamination of an open wound or mucous membrane. For the prevention of AIDS, the pathologists and staff must use double-gloves, gown, mask, apron, shoes cover, medical cap, undershirt, pant, and goggle when in contact with AIDS patient-related materials during postmortem procedure and treatment of surgical speciments