Chapter 4: HIV/AIDS and Cosmetology: Protecting Your Clients and Yourself (Satisfies HIV/AIDS Requirement) Learning objectives Given the course materials, the learner will be able to:
Recall rules and regulations regarding HIV/AIDS status disclosure relevant to cosmetology professionals and clients. Paraphrase protections afforded to HIV positive cosmetologists under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Define and compare HIV and AIDS. Describe how HIV is transmitted. Recognize popular misconceptions and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Identify standard precautions that can be taken to prevent spreading HIV/AIDS within your workplace.
INTRODUCTION
and fair services to all customers. Acknowledging the stigma and arming themselves with facts about the HIV virus can assist cosmetology professionals in working with all clients in the salon setting and recognizing and implementing safety and precautionary measures to keep themselves and their clients protected. This course outlines the need-to-know information surrounding HIV/AIDS to keep cosmetology professionals and clients informed and protected in terms of identification, contraction, prevention, disclosure, and legal ramifications. HIV /‚āCH‚ī ‘vē/ Human immunodeficiency virus, a retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV is transmitted by sexual intercourse, through infected blood and blood products, and through the placenta. H – Human : The HIV virus attacks human beings through their bloodstream. No other animals are susceptible to HIV. I – Immunodeficiency : HIV weakens your immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. V – Virus : HIV is a virus that hijacks cells in the body in order to replicate itself. There is no cure for the HIV virus. AIDS [eydz] A disease of the immune system characterized by increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections, certain cancers, and neurological disorders; a condition, caused by the HIV virus resulting in loss of the body’s ability to protect itself against disease. A – Acquired : A person has to “catch” the HIV virus in order to develop AIDS. It doesn’t just spontaneously occur. I – “Immuno” : AIDS is caused by the immune system being depleted of its cells by HIV. D – Deficiency: Once enough white blood cells have been destroyed by HIV, the immune system becomes weak and is not capable of fighting off other bacteria and viruses easily. S – Syndrome : AIDS is characterized by a group of symptoms including rapid weight loss; extreme fatigue; recurring fever; susceptibility to illness; sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals; pneumonia; blotches under the skin; memory loss, etc.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are commonly recognized terms. However, while many have heard of these terms, the stigmatization of HIV positive individuals paired with commonly believed myths and misconceptions surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic can influence behaviors when working with HIV positive persons . Cosmetologist must be comfortable working around all types of people, and misinformation can interfere with their ability to provide quality, non-discriminatory services to all clients. Receiving an HIV positive diagnosis can be devastating and hard to accept for anyone. Those who are able to best cope with the realities of the disease are those who are able to establish a strong support system within their families, friends, communities, and service providers. For anyone diagnosed with HIV, the need for compassion, sensitivity, and fair treatment is greatly needed. Yet too often the stigma associated with the disease can stand in the way of ensuring an HIV positive person is treated fairly and with respect. It can also create situations in which unnecessary steps are taken and exorbitant costs are expended when working with HIV positive clients. This has an impact not only on the client’s comfortability, but also on the bottom line for the salon. According to the World AIDS Campaign on Eliminating Stigma & Discrimination, “Stigma and discrimination are the top hindrances to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care.” Due to the stigmatization of the disease, many HIV positive persons are not willing to inform others of their status. This can prevent them from seeking treatment, sustaining treatment programs, seeking support structures, and even informing sexual partners. As a result, HIV positive individuals often remain silent due to their fear of social isolation, judgement from their families, friends, and other peers, and other social constructs (such as religious groups, co-workers, and even service providers). The effects of stigmatization prevent them from becoming more informed, seeking out information, and sharing important information with others, making it increasing difficult to promote understanding and reduce discrimination. Learning about HIV/AIDS and recognizing commonly believed myths and misconceptions about the disease is important to professional cosmetology and the salon industry, as business is built upon customer relationships and the provision of quality
MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
availability), an estimated 47,352 new cases of HIV infection and 26,688 cases of AIDS were diagnosed. It is estimated that almost one in seven (12.8%) of those living with the disease remain undiagnosed to date. While the numbers may be startling, they underscore the importance of obtaining and communicating factual information and prevention tips to slow the spreading and progression of HIV/AIDS.
First recognized as a new disease in 1981, today science has made great strides in research and trends that have changed the way we look at and work with HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, just as our knowledge of the disease has increased, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS has increased over the last decade, with over 1.2 million reported cases living in the United States (U.S.) alone . In 2013 (most recent data
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Book Code: NTFL1024
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