What are the relative transmission risks for HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B from a single needlestick injury?
Infection control in the ADC exam tests decision-making around exposure incidents, instrument classification, and decontamination protocols. This exam-level vignette tests your ability to work through clinical details and arrive at the correct management.
You have sustained a deep sharps injury from a blood-contaminated instrument. What are the relative transmission risks for HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B from a single needlestick injury?
- A. Hepatitis viruses cannot be transmitted through needlestick injuries
- B. HIV carries the highest transmission risk
- C. HIV risk is approximately 3 per 1000 injuries.
- D. All three viruses carry equal transmission risk
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The transmission risks follow a clear gradient: HIV is lowest (3/1000), hepatitis C is intermediate (3/100, i.e. 3%), and hepatitis B is highest (approximately 30/100 for unvaccinated recipients exposed to a highly infectious HBeAg-positive source). This gradient means that while HIV dominates the anxiety around sharps injuries, hepatitis B is actually 100 times more likely to be transmitted — making vaccination the single most important protective measure. For hepatitis C, no PEP or vaccine exists, but early treatment of acute infection can prevent chronicity.
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