Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Decision Tree
Walk the CDC bloodborne-pathogen exposure decision tree for occupational and non-occupational exposures to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Open the tool → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.
Example
- Exposure type
- Percutaneous (needlestick / sharp)
- Source patient HIV status
- HIV positive
- Exposed worker HBV vaccination status
- Vaccinated and known responder
Result: HIV PEP: Tenofovir/emtricitabine + raltegravir or dolutegravir x 28 days, start within 72 hours. HBV: No treatment. HCV: No PEP. Baseline + 6-week + 6-month testing of source and exposed.
Answer the questions this way to reach that result. Your own answers give your own.
Inputs and output
- What you enter
Answers to a short chain: exposure type, the source patient's HIV and HBsAg status, then the exposed worker's hepatitis B vaccination status.
- What you get
- The HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C post-exposure steps for that combination, with the HIV start-within window.
What this is
Sophie Well asks about the exposure type (percutaneous, mucous-membrane, non-intact-skin, or sexual), the source patient's known status and viral load if available, the exposed person's hepatitis B vaccination and antibody status, and the time elapsed since the exposure, and returns the recommended testing schedule and prophylaxis: HIV PEP regimen and 28-day duration, HBV immune globulin and vaccine series considerations, and HCV surveillance. Source: CDC USPHS occupational and non-occupational HIV PEP guidance; CDC HBV/HCV exposure management.
When to use it
Use this in employee health, the ED, or a sexual-assault evaluation when a needlestick, splash, or non-occupational exposure happens and the right next steps depend on a fast risk assessment. The 72-hour window for HIV PEP is the hard constraint - sooner is better, and the regimen drops in effectiveness rapidly after that point. HBV PEP timing is generous (within 7 days for HBIG, within 24 hours for vaccine if unvaccinated); HCV has no PEP and the play is baseline-and-follow-up testing with early treatment if seroconversion occurs. State and local public-health guidance and the source patient's actual labs override the algorithm when they are available.
How this is calculated
CDC USPHS guidance for occupational and non-occupational HIV PEP; HBV/HCV exposure management.
Source: CDC HIV/HBV/HCV bloodborne pathogen exposure recommendations
A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.