Final answer:
Blood presents the greatest risk of HIV infection to medical workers, as HIV is primarily transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids with high viral loads, especially blood and semen. While other body fluids like saliva and mucus are not significant risks, standard precautions should always be followed. The correct option is b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fluid that presents the greatest risk of HIV infection to medical workers is blood. HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is primarily transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids that contain high levels of the virus, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.
Medical workers are at increased risk of HIV infection through accidental needle sticks or other injuries that might bring them into contact with infected blood.
Other fluids such as saliva, mucus, urine, and sweat are not considered significant risks for HIV transmission since they typically contain much lower concentrations of the virus or none at all unless mixed with blood.
Healthcare professionals should always follow standard precautions, including the use of protective barriers such as gloves and goggles, to prevent direct contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials.
The risk of HIV transmission can also be heightened if the patient has other sexually transmitted infections or high viral loads, which correlate with a greater amount of virus in the blood. The correct option is b.