● By HIV transmission category : The annual number of HIV infections in 2021, compared with 2017, decreased among males with transmission attributed to male- to-male sexual contact and remained stable among all other transmission categories (injection drug use, male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use, and heterosexual contact). According to the CDC, in 2021, among males, most HIV infections were attributed to male-to-male sexual contact (81%). Among females, most HIV infectious were attributed to heterosexual contact (82%) (HIV.gov, 2023b).
Despite the level of risk based on ethnicity, gender, and lifestyle, everyone can take precautions to help reduce their risk and maintain an HIV-negative status. By learning about prevention strategies and standard precautions, we can reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and lessen the devastation resulting from the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
NATIONAL HIV/AIDS STRATEGY
4. Achieving integrated, coordinated efforts that address the HIV epidemic among all partners and stakeholders. The strategy acknowledges that HIV is still an epidemic and major health issue in the United States, despite the fact that most people can live longer, healthy lives once they are diagnosed and treated. It recognizes that everyone across the nation deserves access to prevention tools and education as well as immediate access to treatment and care. It will require a collaborative national response to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic and achieve the strategic goals. This includes all health and human service providers, including cosmetologists. Fulfilling this national strategy starts with everyone and should begin with you and your salon.
The federal government’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2022-2025) “provides stakeholders across the nation with a roadmap to accelerate efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030.” At the same time, the strategy aims to support people with HIV and reduce illness and death related to the virus. The strategy has set the ambitious targets of a 75% reduction in new HIV infections by 2025 and a 90% reduction in new infections by 2030. The strategy focuses on four major goals: 1. Preventing new HIV infections. 2. Improving HIV-related health outcomes of people with HIV. 3. Reducing HIV-related disparities and health inequities.
PROTECTING YOURSELF IN THE WORKPLACE: HIV AND SALONS
no documented cases of HIV transmission through blood contact that have occurred in a salon setting. Therefore, while transmission of HIV in a salon is highly unlikely (probably because of strict regulations in sanitization and operations), it is still essential that salon professionals stay up to date on HIV/AIDS-specific prevention techniques and protocols to stop transmission. Seasoned cosmetologists know that the presence of blood during various cosmetic procedures is not that unusual. For example, it is not unheard of to draw blood during a manicure or pedicure, close shave, or facial procedure. If this happens, if the blood is infected with the HIV virus and it comes in contact with a cut or an open wound, there is the potential to transmit the virus. It is important to note that while the risk of exposure due to direct splashes with body fluids is minimal, there is increased danger if infected blood enters the body via a scratch or open wound. Nail clippers, acrylic nail drills, cuticle scissors, callus paring blades, and reusable razors and blades have the potential to transmit infectious diseases if they are not properly sterilized.
Salons have come under intense scrutiny in the past decade because of various outbreaks of infectious diseases that were traced to improperly cleaned equipment. State licensing boards have set strict rules for salon procedures and exact steps for proper sanitation and sterilization of equipment to make sure disease transmission cannot happen in salons. It is important for all licensed cosmetologists to be familiar with and consistently practice these safety rules and guidelines. Among the most important is the simplest—workers must wash their hands frequently, between clients and sometimes more often, when there is a chance of any kind of disease transmission. Not only will this (and other mandated safety precautions) significantly reduce the likelihood of transmitting HIV/AIDS, it will also provide protection against the transmission of staph infection and other harmful bacteria and germs that are statistically much more likely to be transmitted within the salon setting.
Only 58 cases of confirmed occupational transmission of HIV to healthcare workers have been documented in the United States (CDC, 2019). (While extremely rare, in very few cases, HIV transmission has occurred in a household setting due to unprotected contact between infected blood and broken skin or mucous membranes.) To date, there are Following proper sanitation rules and standard precautions will greatly decrease the potential of HIV transmission and protect both professionals and clients from transmitting the disease. INFECTION CONTROL, STANDARD PRECAUTIONS, AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
● Immediately disinfect any tool that caused a skin laceration or abrasion. ○ Wear gloves if bleeding occurs or when handling potentially infected tools. ● Wash all contaminated linens, uniforms, or towels separately and in hot water, with a disinfectant agent for HIV. ● Any surface that was contaminated with blood should be disinfected with the appropriate disinfectant . ● Change disinfectant solution if contaminated with blood.
To prevent the transmission of HIV in the workplace, cosmetologists must assume that blood and other body fluids from all clients are potentially infectious. To stay safe when working with any client, standard precautions must be taken to avoid contact with bodily fluids. The following table provides standard precautions that should be taken when providing cosmetic services. Infection control procedures for cosmetologists ● Wash hands with soap and water prior to each client . ● Maintain at least two sets of tools to make sure tools are disinfected appropriately after each use.
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Book Code: CFL1025
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