1. How is HIV passed on?
2. Initial signs and symptoms
3. How to avoid HIV "accidents"
1. HOW IS HIV PASSED ON?
HIV is a virus that damages a person's immune system, the body's defence against disease. A person infected with HIV is infected for life - there's no cure. Being infected with HIV is often referred to as being HIV-positive.
Over time, as the immune system weakens, a person with HIV may develop rare infections or cancers. When these are particularly serious, the person is said to have AIDS.
HIV can only be passed on through the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. The two main ways in which a person can become infected are:
2. Initial signs and symptoms
3. How to avoid HIV "accidents"
1. HOW IS HIV PASSED ON?
HIV is a virus that damages a person's immune system, the body's defence against disease. A person infected with HIV is infected for life - there's no cure. Being infected with HIV is often referred to as being HIV-positive.
Over time, as the immune system weakens, a person with HIV may develop rare infections or cancers. When these are particularly serious, the person is said to have AIDS.
HIV can only be passed on through the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. The two main ways in which a person can become infected are:
- Vaginal or anal sexual intercourse (without a condom) with an infected person using a needle or syringe that's already been used by someone who's infected
- An infected pregnant woman can also pass the virus to her unborn baby, before or during the birth.
Other potential routes of transmission include:
- Giving and receiving first aid, although transmission will only occur if significant amounts of HIV-infected blood pass from one person to another.
- Contact with used needles and syringes.
- Giving and receiving oral sex, although there are very few proven instances of this. Generally, transmission will only occur if a person has cuts or sores in their mouth.
- Seeing a dentist, doctor or nurse. It's extremely rare for HIV to be passed from a healthcare professional to a patient, as all medical instruments are sterilised or used only once.
- Fighting and biting. There have been extremely few cases of infection in such cases.
- Kissing, although generally this won't pass on HIV as saliva doesn't contain a high enough concentration of HIV. The only risk would be if both people had noticeably bleeding cuts and sores in their mouths.
- Sport. The only risk in sport is if HIV-infected blood gets into a wound or a cut.
It's important to emphasise that even though the risk of transmission through any of the above is small, it still remains and care should always be taken. Top
2. INITIAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
There are no immediate signs or symptoms after infection. Research has shown that after a few weeks some people experience flu-like symptoms, but these symptoms usually go undiagnosed. The only way to know if you are HIV-positive is to have a test.
You can get tested for free at Knsyna Aids Council at Melrose House, Queen Street Knysna. Please give us a call on 044-382-0989. Top
3. HOW TO AVOID HIV "ACCIDENTS"?
Can you get HIV by accident? That is, by accidental contact with the blood of someone who has the virus? In a country with such a hight HIV rate this is reasonable concern, so let's talk about the fact and fiction of accidental infection.
For infection to occur blood containing the HI virus needs to enter the body through a brak in the skin through a cut, a needle puncture or an open sore. Such situation are quite specific and you can usually plan a head to protect yourself.
Does contact sport involve a major risk? Despite the fears there is no recorded case of HIV transmission from a sports injury. Not even in boxing or rugby. Precautions are taken, in the light of HIV, to stop bleeding in the ring or on the field and effectively cover cuts. But the infection risk is extremely low. The real risk is off the field, in the culture of touring, partying and sexually willing admirers that surrounds many sports.
Does nuring infected people carry a risk? Yes it does and there are a small number of health workers who have become infected in the course of their duties. Infection usually occurs when the health worker is pricked with a needle or cut with an instrument coated with the blood of an infected patient. It is important therefore to take care when using sharp instruments, whether nursing at home or in a hospital.
Professionals and home-carers can effectively protect themselves by using rubber gloves when there is a chance of contact with blood. This prevents effectively prevents blood-to-blood contact which could occur if the caregiver has a cut or sore on the hands. Gloves should also be used when cleaning blood spills on bed linen or various surfaces and a good amount of bleach will kill the virus in spilt blood.
What about assisting at accident scenes? If you provide first aid at an accident scene, you should always use rubber gloves or simply cover your hands with a plastic bag if no gloves are available. Since you do not know the HIV status of a stranger, you should take the safe approach.
Are there other every day risks?
(1) It is wise to avoid sharing razor blades and tooth brushes with anyone whose status you do not know.
(2) You must be sure that the highest standards of hygiene are observed when getting a tattoo.
(3) Circumcision can be a risk if instruments are shared without disinfection.
(4) Non-medical use of injectable drugs is not only illegal, it also presents an HIV risk as needles may be shared.
As you can see, the chances for accidental HIV infection are quite limited. And effective precautions can easily be taken. You can play sport with an easy mind and, with a few protective measures, can confidently offer first aid and nursing care. In a society like our own, where HIV is so widespread, common sense is helpful.
Paranoia is not.
For more information on HIV and AIDS call the AIDS helpline 0800 012 322 or look on the website www.aidsinfo.co.za Top
2. INITIAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
There are no immediate signs or symptoms after infection. Research has shown that after a few weeks some people experience flu-like symptoms, but these symptoms usually go undiagnosed. The only way to know if you are HIV-positive is to have a test.
You can get tested for free at Knsyna Aids Council at Melrose House, Queen Street Knysna. Please give us a call on 044-382-0989. Top
3. HOW TO AVOID HIV "ACCIDENTS"?
Can you get HIV by accident? That is, by accidental contact with the blood of someone who has the virus? In a country with such a hight HIV rate this is reasonable concern, so let's talk about the fact and fiction of accidental infection.
For infection to occur blood containing the HI virus needs to enter the body through a brak in the skin through a cut, a needle puncture or an open sore. Such situation are quite specific and you can usually plan a head to protect yourself.
Does contact sport involve a major risk? Despite the fears there is no recorded case of HIV transmission from a sports injury. Not even in boxing or rugby. Precautions are taken, in the light of HIV, to stop bleeding in the ring or on the field and effectively cover cuts. But the infection risk is extremely low. The real risk is off the field, in the culture of touring, partying and sexually willing admirers that surrounds many sports.
Does nuring infected people carry a risk? Yes it does and there are a small number of health workers who have become infected in the course of their duties. Infection usually occurs when the health worker is pricked with a needle or cut with an instrument coated with the blood of an infected patient. It is important therefore to take care when using sharp instruments, whether nursing at home or in a hospital.
Professionals and home-carers can effectively protect themselves by using rubber gloves when there is a chance of contact with blood. This prevents effectively prevents blood-to-blood contact which could occur if the caregiver has a cut or sore on the hands. Gloves should also be used when cleaning blood spills on bed linen or various surfaces and a good amount of bleach will kill the virus in spilt blood.
What about assisting at accident scenes? If you provide first aid at an accident scene, you should always use rubber gloves or simply cover your hands with a plastic bag if no gloves are available. Since you do not know the HIV status of a stranger, you should take the safe approach.
Are there other every day risks?
(1) It is wise to avoid sharing razor blades and tooth brushes with anyone whose status you do not know.
(2) You must be sure that the highest standards of hygiene are observed when getting a tattoo.
(3) Circumcision can be a risk if instruments are shared without disinfection.
(4) Non-medical use of injectable drugs is not only illegal, it also presents an HIV risk as needles may be shared.
As you can see, the chances for accidental HIV infection are quite limited. And effective precautions can easily be taken. You can play sport with an easy mind and, with a few protective measures, can confidently offer first aid and nursing care. In a society like our own, where HIV is so widespread, common sense is helpful.
Paranoia is not.
For more information on HIV and AIDS call the AIDS helpline 0800 012 322 or look on the website www.aidsinfo.co.za Top
GENERAL HEALTH ADVICE
The ABC for
HIV/AIDS
prevention is:
Abstain from
sexual intercourse
or
Be Faithful
to one partner
and always use
Condoms
HIV/AIDS
prevention is:
Abstain from
sexual intercourse
or
Be Faithful
to one partner
and always use
Condoms