Transmission routes HIV and hepatitis are transmitted only in the following ways: 1. Unprotected sexual contact involving the transfer of body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal secretions. 2. Direct contact with infected blood through needle- sharing, transfusions and needlesticks. 3. Infected mothers can transmit the virus to their babies while in the womb or in breast milk.
You can’t catch HIV through casual contact, such as touching, hugging, being coughed on or sneezed on or working around someone who has AIDS. Family members and health care workers who are constantly around patients with AIDS do not catch AIDS when they use proper precautions.
RISK FACTORS AND BEHAVIORS
● Between 1978 and the spring of 1985, received an organ transplant. ● Received artificial insemination from an untested donor. ● Between 1978 and the spring of 1985, received treatment for a clotting disorder. ● Have been exposed to blood or body fluids of a person known to have AIDS or be HIV-positive. ● Are immigrants from high risk areas (southeast Asia, Africa, Southern and Central Europe). ● Have tattoos. ● Are family of infected persons.
In light of what we know about the way the HBV and HIV virus are transmitted, risk of exposure to either virus is increased for people who: ● Have unprotected sex or multiple partners. ● Have unprotected sex with an IV drug user. ● Have shared needles while using drugs. ● Have occupational exposure to the blood or body fluids of others. ● Between 1978 and the spring of 1985, received blood or blood products in transfusion.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
yourself, it is essential to have a barrier between you and the potentially infectious material. Discuss and list four rules to follow with PPE: 1. __________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________ If you work in an area with routine exposure to blood or potentially infectious materials, the necessary PPE should be readily accessible. Contaminated gloves, clothing, PPE, or other materials should be placed in appropriately labeled bags or containers until it is disposed of, decontaminated, or laundered. It is important to find out where these bags or containers are located in your area before beginning work. This approach is used in all situations where exposure to blood or potentially infectious materials is possible. This also means that certain engineering and work practice controls shall always be utilized in situations where exposure may occur.
“Universal Precautions” is the name used to describe a prevention strategy in which all blood and potentially infectious materials are treated as if they are, in fact, infectious, regardless of the perceived status of the source individual. In other words, whether or not you think the blood/body fluid is infected with bloodborne pathogens, you treat it as if it is. This approach is used in all situations where exposure to blood or potentially infectious materials is possible. This also means that certain engineering and work practice controls shall always be utilized in situations where exposure may occur. Probably the first thing to do in any situation where you may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens is to ensure you are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, you may have noticed that emergency medical personnel, doctors, nurses, dentists, dental assistants, and other health care professionals always wear latex or protective gloves. This is a simple precaution they take in order to prevent blood or potentially infectious body fluids from coming in contact with their skin. To protect Gloves Gloves should be made of latex, nitril, rubber, or other water impervious materials. If glove material is thin or flimsy, double gloving can provide an additional layer of protection. Also, if you know you have cuts or sores on your hands, you should cover these with a bandage or similar protection as an additional precaution before donning your gloves. You should always inspect your gloves for tears or punctures before putting them on. If a glove is damaged, don’t use it! When taking contaminated gloves off, do so carefully. Make
sure you don’t touch the outside of the gloves with any bare skin, and be sure to dispose of them in a proper container so that no one else will come contact with them either.
ALWAYS CHECK YOUR GLOVES FOR DAMAGE BEFORE USING THEM!
Goggles
Again, bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted through the thin membranes of the eyes so it is important to protect them. Splashing could occur while cleaning up a spill, during laboratory procedures, or while providing first aid or medical assistance.
Anytime there is a risk of splashing or vaporization of contaminated fluids, goggles and/or other eye protection should be used to protect your eyes.
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