HIV positive nurses

I know I was not given an HIV test when I started my job.

Since HIV is considered a disability, it would be discrimination for any nurse to be denied a job because of her/his HIV status. Plus what racing-mom said!

I work with a nurse who is HIV+. She is very forthcoming and works in our community out-reach program. We have an unusually high rate of HIV in my area and the lack of basic HIV awareness knowledge among

patients never ceases to amaze me. I recently had a pt. tell me her brother-in-law (HIV+) was moving to the area. Her concern was "he would be bringing AIDS into the county", as if there are no persons living here with HIV! She didn't want her family to be "responsible". Our community out-reach nurse spent a lot of time with the pt. calming her fears, but more importantly educating her. I am so lucky to work with her! What a great resource for our patients.

My own personal opinion is that if we all practice universal precautions,

as is the law, there is no need for concern.

What specifically were you trying to search for in old threads?

A person living with HIV can work as an RN in direct patient care without limitations. The same goes for MD's.

Based on a review of the literature, CDC's assessment is that the risk of HIV transmission from an infected healthcare worker to a patient during an invasive procedure is very small. To place "limitations" on a healthcare worker with HIV is inconsistent with the data. Oddly enough, HIV is transmitted much less readily after percutaneous exposure than the Hepatitis B virus (0.3% vs. approx. 30% - wow).

Here are CDC's recommendations on preventing transmission of HIV and Hep B to patients during exposure-prone procedures:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00014845.htm

I would point out the date on that recommendation.

David Carpenter, PA-C

While the information IS from 1991, it IS provided by the CDC. I cannot help but wonder why you felt the need to point that out. As an FYI or as someone who does NOT believe those statistics hold water in 2008? Just curious.

I would point out the date on that recommendation.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Well yes, but I can't find any revised or more recent guidelines on this subject. I would assume that this continues to be the recommendation because nothing has come along evidence-wise to prompt a change. If you know of anything different please let me know. Here is the CDC page I got it from:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/wrkrProtect_bp_prevent.html

I worked with a guy that was HIV+ (RN) in my last ICU. He did direct patient care every night. He chose not to take respiratory patients that required isolation. There were no restrictions imposed on him.

May