Role of nurses in the education, treatment, and prevention of occupational HIV transmission.

With an increased perception of AIDS as a nursing disease and with the holistic approach that they provide, nurses can make important contributions toward the treatment and prevention of AIDS. Nurses are urged to become more active in professional societies, be patient advocates, counsel patients, and educate others about AIDS transmission. The risk to nurses of accidental exposure to AIDS is 1/20th that of hepatitis B. Precautions for both include (nonexcessive) wearing of gloves, gowns, and protective eyewear; proper disposal of needles, syringes, scalpels, and linens; and appropriate use of masks and face shields.