HIV prophylaxis in case of an accident

HIV is considerably less infective than hepatitis B/C, but a high viral load increases the health hazard.

Contact
Ullevål Hospital (OUS)

For inquiry after injury or spill of HIV-infected material on wounds/mucous membrane

Medical Division for Infection

Infectious Medicine Consultant

NOTE: refer to the agreement with Professor Dag Kvale.

Risk assessment

The HIV-virus is relatively robust and can survive at room temperature and tolerate freezing.  HIV is quickly inactivated at more than 60ºC.  The virus is killed at 85ºC for 1 hour and by some of the most used disinfectants.

In case of accident with HIV-infected blood

A time-zero blood sample should be taken immediately

  • Contact the on-call Infectious Medicine Consultant (information in the right-hand menu) immediately.
  • NOTE:  if prophylaxis treatment is required, treatment must begin within 2 hours.

Prophylaxis with antiretroviral chemo-therapy

When is prophylactic treatment indicated

  • Prophylaxis is only recommended if the source of infection is HIV-positive.
  • Prophylaxis is not recommended if accidental contact with intact skin only, regardless of involved body fluid.

About prophylactic treatment

  • Prophylaxis against HIV should always be administered by a qualified physician, preferably a specialist in infective medicine, experienced in anti-viral therapy.
  • Most medical institutions do not have a specialist on call day and night.
  • Thus, a routine is established to ensure an interim prophylaxis starting by another physician according to specific guidelines.
  • The chemo-therapy must start as soon as possible, preferably within two hours after the injury. Recommended treatment is going on for four weeks.
Published May 25, 2016 4:09 PM - Last modified Feb. 18, 2021 1:45 PM