Risks to surgeons and patients from HIV and hepatitis: guidelines on precautions and management of exposure to blood or body fluids. Joint Working Party of the Hospital Infection Society and the Surgical Infection Study Group.

Concern is increasing among surgeons and operating theatre staff about the risks of occupational exposure to HIV and hepatitis viruses.'-6 There has also been much public debate about the risk of patients who undergo invasive procedures acquiring these viruses from in- fected surgeons.7 Eminent bodies have published reports on the topic, yet views vary about the risk of transmission of HIV8-'4 and the level of precautions appropriate to British hospitals.'59