● What HIV symptoms should I watch for? Almost half of the people who contract HIV experience a flu-like illness six to twelve weeks after exposure. Employees who experience an exposure incident should report any illness that feels like the flu or mononucleosis, especially if it is accompanied by fever, rash, or swollen glands. ● Will my employer know the results of my test? No. The health care professional will give the results of your tests to you only. All records, including test results, relating to an exposure incident are Strictly Confidential.
● What happens if I test HIV positive? Currently, there is no known therapy to reverse antibody status. If an employee tests HIV positive, we recommend ongoing medical monitoring and possible antiretroviral (contains RNA for protein productions) drugs. ● What is the prognosis? Research indicates that HIV - positive individuals will eventually develop AIDS. Currently, there is no treatment for AIDS and it is generally believed to be eventually fatal. As discussed previously, there is a vaccine for hepatitis B which is available to all employees at risk.
PRECAUTIONS
Refrain from sexual activity, or at least take the following precautions: ● Limit the number of partners. ● Use latex condoms from start to finish, even if your partner is HIV-positive. Job situations which may result in exposure include: ● Job duties that bring you into contact with needles or other sharp objects such as glass that might be contaminated with infected blood. ● Providing emergency first-aid assistance to coworkers. Discuss with the class other circumstances in which exposure is possible: It is important that you use universal precautions to
The following precautions should be taken by anyone who has had an exposure incident so that others are not exposed. ● Inform sexual or needle-sharing partners so they can be tested for the virus. ● Inform physicians and other health care givers so they can protect themselves. ● Don’t give any blood, tissue, organs, or semen. ● Remove the organ donor designation from your driver’s license. ● Hold off on getting pregnant until your health care provider says it is okay. ● If you are pregnant, get counseling. ● Don’t breast-feed. ● Be careful not to expose others to your blood or bodily fluids. ● Don’t share personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, etc. ● Use a bleach solution of 1:10, 70% isopropyl alcohol or other EPA-approved germicide to clean up any spills of blood. Precautions When first aid measures are needed, make sure that you adhere to the following: ● Mouth-to-mouth breathing: The safest course of action is to use a breathing mask whenever you are called on to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Summary Bloodborne pathogens are a very real risk in the workplace. However, protective measures are in place for employees at risk. To avoid infection of bloodborne pathogens, it is very important to follow all precautions.
prevent becoming infected by contaminated blood. Universal precautions means that all blood and body fluids are considered a potentially infectious.
● Controlling bleeding: To help the victim without infecting yourself (or the victim), wear rubber gloves. While chance of infection on the job are small, why take unnecessary risks with your life? Following the necessary safety precautions is the best way to minimize risks. Knowing how infection occurs is the first step in preventing the spread of disease. Certain factors and behaviors put employees at risk. Avoid these behaviors as much as you can. Education combined with practicing safe behaviors can save your life.
SECTION 4: DECONTAMINATION AND INFECTION CONTROL
Table of contents Decontamination and Infection Control ● Introduction ● Objectives ● Professional salon environment
● Safety precautions ● Material Safety Data Sheet (M.S.D.S.) ● Organizing an M.S.D.S. Notebook
Introduction Infection and disease control is one of the most important aspects of being a professional salon operator or owner. Federal and state laws govern what must be done by operators and owners to ensure the safety of the public and that no germs are allowed to spread uncontrolled. This unit provides you with the necessary elements to help control dangerous disease-causing germs.
By following some very important basic procedures and by providing a clean salon it will be easy to provide your clients with the very best professional care without the fear of your clients becoming infected by a disease agent. It is important to understand that the removal of all disease-causing germs in a salon will be almost impossible, but the control of dangerous levels is the key to providing a safe salon.
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Book Code: BBGA0524
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