Safe practice and safe behaviour are the key to avoidance.

• Assume all patients could be HIV positive and act accordingly.
• Assume that all blood and body fluids are potentially infective and take necessary precautions.
• Beware of contaminating any open cuts you might have.
• Take a personal supply of surgical gloves with you so that you can double glove for procedures.
• Take a visor or spare pair of glasses to protect your eyes while operating.
• Take every care to avoid needle stick injuries – especially when tired or with unfamiliar assistants.
• Make sure you know the universal precautions to take if injury/contamination occurs.
• Take a course of in-date anti-retrovirals with you to use as post-exposure prophylaxis if an injury occurs (see below). Keep them with you when operating so that you can start them immediately if needed.
• Refuse blood transfusion – unless in a dire emergency and you know the donor is HIV negative.
• Don't be paranoid but do take every precaution.

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for occupational exposure to HIV

• Follow normal UK protocol as far as possible.
• Start taking PEP within 2 hours of any high risk injury, if possible, and continue for 28 days.
• Establish the status of the source patient, if possible.
• Seek UK advice as to whether you should return home sooner rather than later.