Anaesthesia and intensive care for patients with transmissible diseases

Transmissible diseases are a global problem. As the population ages, and as therapies improve, the anaesthetist is increasingly likely to come into contact with affected patients both for surgery and in the intensive care unit (ICU). In this article we outline the epidemiology, clinical features and current treatments of the common blood-borne viruses: hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency and the prion-mediated Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. We have highlighted the relevance to anaesthetic practice: perioperative and critical care management and the important issue of needlestick injuries. Despite advancements in therapeutics and transplantation, prevention remains the primary objective in reducing the number of infections worldwide.