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Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Assessment

Occupational exposure risk and post-exposure prophylaxis guidance for HIV, HBV, and HCV

How to Use
Enter the exposure details and source patient status below. Press Calculate to see estimated seroconversion risk and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) guidance for each pathogen. Seek immediate medical review — this tool does not replace clinical assessment.
Exposure Details
Exposure route
Source material
Time since exposure
Source Patient Status
Health Care Worker Status
Reference Data
The table below summarises baseline occupational transmission risks as reported in CDC and ASHM guidelines. Individual risk varies substantially depending on viral load, volume of inoculum, depth of injury, and other factors. Source attribution: CDC 2005 Updated US Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis; ASHM Australian HIV PEP Guidelines 2016.
Pathogen Exposure Route Baseline Risk per 1,000 Notes
HIV Percutaneous — hollow needle 3.0 (0.3%) Average across all percutaneous injuries; increases with deep injury, visible blood on device, terminal illness in source.
HIV Percutaneous — solid sharp ~0.3 (estimated) Lower inoculum volume than hollow needle. Estimated from relative injury depth data.
HIV Mucosal membrane splash 0.9 (0.09%) Eyes, nose, or mouth. Risk further reduced by prompt irrigation.
HIV Non-intact skin <0.1 (<0.09%) Very low; considered negligible unless extensive skin involvement or prolonged contact.
HBV Percutaneous (HBeAg+) 260 (26%) HBeAg positivity indicates high viral replication and greater infectivity. Unvaccinated HCW.
HBV Percutaneous (HBeAg-) 35 (3.5%) HBeAg-negative sources still carry risk if HBsAg positive. Unvaccinated HCW.
HBV Mucosal / non-intact skin ~50% of percutaneous values Less direct inoculation; significant risk remains. Vaccination provides >95% protection when anti-HBs ≥ 10 mIU/mL.
HCV Percutaneous — hollow needle 18 (1.8%) Range reported 0%–7%; average ~1.8%. Risk correlates with HCV RNA titre in source.
HCV Percutaneous — solid sharp ~3 (estimated) Lower than hollow needle. No validated figure; estimated from relative HIV data.
HCV Mucosal membrane ~1 Rare; isolated case reports only. Risk substantially lower than percutaneous.
HCV Non-intact skin ~0.5 Very rare. No licensed PEP exists; early detection enables DAA treatment.
Factors Modifying Transmission Risk
Increasing risk: deep percutaneous injury, large-bore hollow needle, visible blood on device, needle placed directly in artery or vein, source patient with terminal HIV illness or high viral load, source HBeAg-positive for HBV.

Decreasing risk: source HIV-positive with undetectable viral load (U=U principle), gloves worn at time of exposure (reduces inoculum volume by ~50%), prompt wound irrigation, source HBsAg-negative or anti-HCV-negative.

HBV vaccination: A documented anti-HBs titre ≥ 10 mIU/mL confers >98% protection and eliminates the need for HBIG after exposure. Titre should be confirmed; immunity may wane over time in some individuals.

HCV: No licensed PEP or prophylaxis exists. Post-exposure surveillance enables early identification of acute HCV, which can be treated effectively with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) achieving >95% sustained virological response.