The impact of HIV infection on health care staff and other carers

Abstract

The issues encountered by health workers and informal carers in relation to HIV infection are highlighted. The impact that HIV infection has had on health care staff is described in terms of their emotional responses, knowledge and attitudes toward HIV infection and patients, their occupational risk of HIV transmission, their anxiety about becoming infected at work and use of infection control measures. Stresses, rewards and needs of informal carers are described and the evidence of psychological effects of their care-giving is discussed.