Occupationally-Acquired HIV Infection - Role of Occupational Medicine in the Prevention and Management: Challenges and Recommendations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the body's immune system. In the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment, HIV infection can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced final stage. HIV/AIDS represents a devastating global public health crisis. In developing countries, this problem is exacerbated by recent, sudden funding cuts from international donor agencies. These cuts disrupt access to ART medicines and prevention services for millions of people with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Based on the 2024 global estimates of 41 million (37–46 million) people with HIV/AIDS, 1.3 million new HIV infections, and 830,000 deaths, these funding reductions could result in an additional 4 to 11 million new HIV infections and up to 3 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030. HIV is a preventable disease. However, HIV transmission is ongoing worldwide1-3