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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Occupational HIV Exposure: Two Cases and a Literature Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Michael G. Worthington ,
John J. Ross  and
Ellen K. Bergeron
Michael G. Worthington*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Caritas Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
John J. Ross
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Caritas Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Ellen K. Bergeron
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, Caritas Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
*
Division of Infectious Diseases, Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, 736 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02135 (mworth@cchcs.org)
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Abstract

Two healthcare workers developed disabling chronic posttraumatic stress disorder after needlestick exposures to blood from a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), even though both continue to test negative for HIV antibody more than 22 months after their exposures. We describe these 2 cases and review the relevant literature. Prospective studies of psychological morbidity after occupational needlestick injuries are required to determine the role of long-term psychological follow-up, counseling, and support.

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , February 2006 , pp. 215 - 217
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2006

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