Unit-1 HIV/AIDS

TAKE_TEST

 

Course Outline 

 

CourseOverview: This course covers the subject of the affects of HIV/AIDS along with thedifferent symptoms, courses of action, and infections associated with thisfatal disease. Information on the use of condoms, how to practice safe, sex andmaking careful choices is also provided, as well as suggested practices thatwill aid in the protection and prevention against HIV/AIDS for the sexuallyactive individual. Also contained in this course is information on testing forthese diseases and reasons for transmission, along with statistics on caserates in diverse populations. Additionally contained here is informationregarding clinical management in the salon by the implementation of “UniversalPrecautions”, in conjunction with recommendations for salon safety regardingblood-borne pathogens. In conclusion this section contains research dataregarding several other communicable diseases or disorder (such astuberculosis, hepatitis, pediculosis, ringworm, and syphilis), attitudes towardinfected persons, the prevention of infection, and cures (if any) for these diseases.

 

Attitudes toward persons withHIV/AIDS

Discrimination is one of the issues that people with HIV, face every day.Even though there are laws that deal with HIV/AIDS discrimination, it continuesto be just one more obstacle surrounding this epidemic. Discrimination varies.It can be as subtle as avoiding someone in the work place because of rumorsthat person is infected, or as overt as dismissal from a job because of alearned infection of HIV/AIDS. People, who have been infected, as well as theirfriends, relatives, and some caregivers, have experienced a variety ofdifferent types of discrimination. Even the very young are ostracized becauseof their infection. Fear seems to be largely responsible for unnecessarydiscriminatory practices. Fears of social interaction with infected individualsare groundless. These and similar events demonstrate that people continue tohave unnecessary concerns and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. Just becausepeople are HIV positive, does not mean that they no longer have social status,feelings, the right to the pursuit of happiness, or the right to be gainfullyemployed. They are individuals that need to sustain their routine life-styleand need to be included.

 

A virus called HIV causes AIDS

AIDS is one of the principal causes of death for Americans between theages of 25 and 44. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 inevery 250 people is infected with HIV. Many people who are infected today didnot think that they were at risk.

 

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It has been identified asthe virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is spreadfrom one person to another through sharing of needles, unprotected sexualcontact, blood and body fluids. The HIV virus attacks a person's immune systemand, over time, destroys it. By the time an individual begins to experiencediseases and infections as the consequence of the destructive process of HIV,his/her T-cell count is commonly below 200 per milliliter. An individual developsAIDS when his/her immune system can no longer successfully fight off diseaseand infection, and if not attended to, the person will die from complications.HIV does not discriminate and anybody can acquire the virus.

 

People infected with HIV may seem and feel healthy for an extendedperiod. Not infrequently, it can take up to 10 years for a person infected withHIV to develop AIDS.  Thus, infectedpeople may spend a decade not knowing that they are infected, yet are all thewhile infecting others.

 

Symptoms of infection differ from one person to another. Some people getfevers and diarrhea others get swollen glands. Commonly, people infected loseweight for no apparent reason while the virus cripples the body's defenses. Atthe time people develop AIDS, they might have illnesses that people notinfected would usually resist. It is necessary to take a blood test in order todetermine if an individual is infected with HIV. The CDC defines a person withAIDS as someone with:

 

·        A positive HIVantibody or antigen test, and

·        A T-cell (CDR)count of less than 200 cells per milliliter, and

·        A diagnosis of oneor more opportunistic diseases or conditions associated with AIDS.

 

These are some of the common ways in which HIV is spread. The mosteffective method of HIV transmission is blood to blood, however, a sufficientamount of HIV blood must gain entry into the bloodstream to cause infection.Records have shown that contact between infected blood and intact skin (i.e. nobreaks in the skin, lesions, or open sores) cannot transfer the virus from oneperson to another.  Conversely, havingvaginal, anal, or oral sex without a latex condom, or sharing needles orsyringes will. It should also be known that AIDS can be transmitted from aninfected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and, although rarely,through breast-feeding.

 

Treatmentof HIV/AIDS

Medicalscience has made progress in the treatment of HIV infection and the associatedopportunistic infections (OIs) that come along with HIV. Expanded use ofmedications for preventing toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, Mycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) and, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), for example, hasfacilitated with the reduction in the number of people with HIV who ultimatelydevelop serious illness and die from AIDS. Also, a number of new compounds inthe latest class of drugs, called protease inhibitors, have been federallyapproved to treat HIV infection. These drugs, when taken in combination withpreviously approved drugs such as AZT, 3TC and ddI, reduce the level of HIVparticles circulating in the blood to very low levels in infected individuals.Treatment results using these drugs have been hopeful, as these drugcombinations are more effective than any previously available therapies.

 

Prevention and Safe Practices - Know the Facts

HIV is a very dangerous disease, that you may have less of a chance ofcontracting if you follow some basic guidelines for prevention. The followingfacts about HIV and AIDS will educate you on how to protect yourself. If youare sexually active and want to avoid HIV, you must have sex only with apartner who does not shoot drugs, does not share needles or syringes, is notinfected, and is monogamous. Are you asking if this is even possible? Rememberthat these things are impossible to know for sure about someone unless theynever leave your side. There is never a 100% guarantee that a partner will notparticipate in risky behavior unbeknownst to you.

 

You can safeguardyourself from the virus. Some of the primary methods are:

·        Do not use drugs oralcohol. They keep you from making wise decisions and thinking clearly.

·        Do not have sex.You can get infected from one sexual experience.

·        Never share anykind of needle or syringe.

·        If you do have sexlearn and use safe sex practices.

 

Birth control pills and diaphragms will not protect you from HIV or otherSTD’s. Latex condoms and female condoms can help reduce your chance of HIVinfection during sex, and perform as an effective barrier. They must be put onprior to genital contact, and they need to be used the right way, frombeginning to end, each time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You shouldalways use a latex condom for any kind of sexual intercourse that includes thetransfer of body fluids. Under laboratory conditions, virusesoccasionally have been shown to pass through natural membrane (“skin” orlambskin) condoms, which contain natural pores and are therefore notrecommended for disease prevention. Conversely, laboratory studies haveconsistently demonstrated that latex condoms provide a highly effectivemechanical barrier to HIV. There is alwaysa chance you won't know if you or your partner is infected. Condoms can provideprotection for those who choose to have more than one sexual partner, however,condoms are not a 100% guarantee against the AIDS virus.  Condoms do not absolutely exclude thepossibility of becoming infected because they can rupture, tear, or even slideoff. Latex condoms are approximately 90% effective at preventing pregnancy andthe passage of almost all sexually transmitted diseases. This figure would beabout 93% to 99% if everyone used a condom properly.

 

Make careful choices. Whether or not to have sex, or whether or not touse condoms, is a decision you may be faced with at one time or another. Manywill be faced with this decision time and time again. Apply what you havelearned to make judgments about sex that are beneficial to you and your mate.Get the most recent information from the CDC.

 

It is impossible for a donor to get HIV from giving blood or plasma. Inthe United States every piece of equipment (needles, tubing, containers) usedto draw blood is sterile and brand new. It is used only once and thendestroyed.

 

The likelihood of acquiring HIV from a blood transfusion in the U.S. iscurrently remote. At the beginning of the epidemic, some people contracted thevirus through infected blood in the nation’s blood supply. Subsequently,safeguards were implemented and the risk of getting an HIV contaminatedtransfusion has diminished significantly, being now estimated at two in onemillion units of blood. As time has gone on, testing procedures have improvednotably. Nonetheless, testing cannot entirely remove the chance of infectedblood. If someone donates blood or plasma soon after they are infected, currenttests may not always detect the existence of the virus.

 

There is no approved vaccine for HIV, or a cure for AIDS. However, thereare several medications that are now available to help treat the symptoms ofAIDS and permit patients to live more comfortably. None of these medicationscan exclude a person from becoming infected with HIV, nor can they cure AIDS.On the other hand, people can take an active role in the prevention of HIVinfection by understanding the facts and following the guidelines.

 

Blood Tests for HIV

Specific blood tests are required to look for, and to verify the presenceof HIV antibodies in the blood. In nearly all cases, the body developsantibodies to combat the virus that enters the blood stream. If it is possiblethat you may be infected with HIV, you should consider taking an antibody bloodtest and get counseling both before and after being tested. Accepted bloodtests are over 99% accurate. Still, there is usually a window period of a fewweeks to a few months subsequent to a person becoming infected before enoughantibodies develop to be detected. Get in touch with your local public healthdepartment, Red Cross chapter, AIDS service organization, or doctor's officefor more information about testing and HIV counseling.

 

Factsabout HIV/AIDS

1) AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) results from the late stageof infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The onset of AIDS cantake up to 10 or more years, and new drug therapies can delay the progressionof the disease into AIDS even longer. A person infected with HIV may look andfeel healthy for many years, but can still transmit the virus to others, whichis why testing is so important.

 

2) HIV is transmitted through the exchange of any HIV infected bodyfluids. Transfer may occur during all stages of the disease. The HIV virus isfound in the following fluids: blood, semen (and pre-ejaculated fluid), vaginalsecretions, and breast milk. HIV does not survive long outside the body andtherefore can only be transmitted when any of the above body fluids from aninfected individual enters an uninfected individual.

 

3) HIV most frequently is transmitted sexually. The only way you can becompletely sure to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV is by abstaining fromall sexual contact. How can you have sex and still significantly reduce yourrisk of contracting HIV? By correctly using a latex condom from start tofinish, every time you have vaginal or anal intercourse, and with each act oforal sex on a man. Be aware that HIV can be transmitted through oral sex. Use adental dam or a condom cut open while performing each act of oral sex with awoman. Bear in mind that all semen, even pre-ejaculated fluid, can carry theHIV virus. Engage in safer sex practices that involve no penetration, (such askissing, massaging, hugging, touching, body rubbing, and masturbation).

 

4) It is important to know that all blood, organs, and tissues usedduring transfusions or surgeries have been tested for HIV. Medical professionalsimmediately and carefully dispose of all contaminated products. All medical andsurgical instruments, including those used for tattooing and body piercing,must be completely sterilized or discarded properly after each use in order toprevent HIV transmission. For information on HIV/AIDS in the work place orreferrals to organizations that handle the proper disposal of medicalinstruments call the CDC National HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-AIDS.

 

5) Anonymous HIV testing is the only form of HIV testing that is not namebased. If you receive a test from an anonymous testing center, no one but youwill know the results of your test. Currently, 40 states plus the District ofColumbia and Puerto Rico offer anonymous testing.

 

6) You do not get HIV from donating blood, from mosquito bites or bitesfrom other bugs, from the urine, sweat, or sneezes of an infected person, norfrom public restrooms, saunas, showers or pools. You also do not get HIV frombeing friends with a person who has HIV/AIDS, touching, hugging, or dry kissinga person with HIV, sharing towels or clothing, or sharing eating utensils.

 

7) Young adults (under age 25) are quickly becoming the most at risk agegroup, now accounting for an estimated 50% of all new HIV infections in the UnitedStates. Teenagers and young people here and around the world need to take anactive role in changing the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic by adjusting theirbehaviors and attitudes toward the disease.

 

8) Discriminating against people who are infected with HIV/AIDS, oranyone thought to be at risk of infection, violates individual human rights.Every person infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS deserves compassion andsupport, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their infection. Educationis crucial in getting this message out.

 

9) You can help stop the spread of HIV by getting involved in communityefforts. World AIDS Day is a special event held every year to focus attentionon this urgent challenge that affects all of us. It is marked around the worldby thousands of different events designed to increase awareness and to expresscompassion and solidarity.

 

If you have ever thought of offering your time to a cause, you can aid inthe battle against HIV and AIDS by becoming a volunteer. Volunteers are alwaysneeded, to answer AIDS hotlines and help educate others about HIV and AIDS.They can assist people living with AIDS by shopping for them or bringing mealsto their homes. They can help generate funds to combat this epidemic. Contactyour local AIDS service organization or the Red Cross chapter to find out howyou can help. People with HIV and AIDS need love and compassion. Most peoplewho are living with AIDS are often sick and under a lot of stress, and wouldbenefit from support and care.

 

Be a role model for others. Show your support and caring for people whoare infected with HIV and for those who are living with AIDS.  Keep in mind that you cannot get AIDS frombeing a friend.

 

TAKE_TEST

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease usually affecting the lungs(pulmonary TB). Other parts of the body can also be affected, for example,lymph nodes, kidneys, bones, joints, etc. (extra-pulmonary TB). It can affectanyone of any age. Immune-compromised individuals, such as those with AIDS (orthose infected with HIV), are at increased risk. Tuberculosis is spread throughthe air. When a person with tuberculosis, who is not taking tuberculosismedication, coughs or sneezes, the germs get into the air. Prolonged exposureto the tuberculosis organisms is normally necessary for infection to occur.Tuberculosis infection may result after close contact with a person who hastuberculosis disease.

 

What isthe TB skin test?

The TB skin test is a way to find out if a person has TB infection.Although there is more than one TB skin test, the preferred method of testingis to use the Mantoux test. Tuberculosis infection is determined by asignificant reaction to the Mantoux skin test, even when there are no symptomsof tuberculosis and no TB organisms are found in the sputum (theexpectorated material that is coughed up from the respiratory tree). The disease itself is characterized by theappearance of symptoms, the presence of organisms in the sputum, as well as asignificant reaction to a Mantoux skin test.

 

In order to spread the TB germs, a person must have TB disease. Having TBinfection is not enough to spread the germ. Tuberculosis may last for alifetime as an infection, never developing into the disease. The symptoms of TBdisease include a low-grade fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and apersistent cough. Some people may not have obvious symptoms.

 

Most people infected with the germ that causes TB never develop activeTB. If active TB does develop, it can occur anytime from 2 months after infectionto many years later. The risk of active disease lessens as time passes. Aperson with TB disease may remain contagious until he/she has been onappropriate treatment for several weeks. However, a person with TB infection,but not disease, cannot spread the infection to others, since there are no TBgerms in the sputum.

 

Preventive: People infected with TB should be evaluated for acourse of preventive therapy, which usually includes treatments of ananti-tuberculosis medication for 6 to 12 months. A physician must determine theexact preventive therapy plan.

 

Curative: People with active TB disease must complete acourse of curative therapy. Initial treatment includes at least four anti-TBdrugs for a minimum of 6 months. Medications may be altered based on laboratorytest results. A physician must determine the exact medication plan.  People with medical risk factors should beskin tested for TB. Their skin test results should be clearly noted in theirmedical record.

 

Because HIV infection weakens theimmune system, someone with TB infection and HIV infection has a very high riskof getting TB disease. HIV infection, whenit occurs in tandem with TB infection, without treatment, can worktogether to shorten the life of an infected person. Other medical risk factors, which increase the chanceof developing TB disease, include diabetes mellitus, prolonged corticosteroidtherapy, Immuno-suppressive therapy, cancer, silicosis, as well as being 10percent or more below ideal body weight.

 

If TB infection has occurred, treatment should be sought. It should benoted that TB is one of the few diseases related to HIV infection thatis easily prevented and cured with medication. People that areimmune-compromised are currently being treated with drug combinationscontaining three and four different drugs simultaneously. Conversely, in addition to spreading the disease to others,an untreated person will become severely ill or die.

 

The most important way to stop the spread of tuberculosis is to cover themouth and nose when coughing, and to take all the TB medication exactly asprescribed by the physician. Some strains of TB have the ability to grow andmultiply even in the presence of certain drugs that would normally kill them.People, who have been exposed to a case of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB),especially if they are immune-compromised, are at the risk for developingMDR-TB. Other people who may develop drug-resistant tuberculosis include TBpatients who have failed to take anti-tuberculosis medications as prescribed,TB patients who have been prescribed an ineffective treatment plan, and peoplewho have been treated previously for TB. For patients with disease due tomultidrug-resistant organisms, expert consultation from a specialist intreating multidrug-resistant TB should be obtained. Patients withmultidrug-resistant disease should be treated with a minimum of two or threedrugs to which their organisms are susceptible.

 

It is currently unknown whether preventive therapy can effectivelyprevent the development of active TB disease in people who are infected withMDR-TB strains. Nevertheless, recommendations concerning preventive therapy forpeople who have been infected with MDR-TB are being developed by the Centersfor Disease Control (CDC). The most important ways to stop the spread of MDR-TBremain the same¾ to cover the mouth and nose when coughing, andto seek adequate treatment. It is also essential that health officials directlyoversee the administration of TB medications to people who, due to mentalillness or incapacity, are unable to follow the prescribed regimens themselves.

 

Hepatitis C

Theword hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis ischaracterized as a severe inflammation of the liver. Those infected willusually develop liver disease, according to the national Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention. Hepatitis C is one of five currently identifiedviruses—hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E—all of which can attack and damage theliver. Widely viewed as one of the most serious of the five, the hepatitis Cvirus (HCV) is spread primarily through contact with infected blood and cancause cirrhosis (irreversible and potentially fatal liver scarring), livercancer, or liver failure. Hepatitis C is the major reason for liver transplantsin the United States, accounting for 1,000 of the procedures annually. Thedisease is responsible for between 8,000 and 10,000 deaths yearly. Someestimates say the number of HCV-infected people may be four times the number ofthose infected with the AIDS virus.

 

Symptomsof hepatitis C include:

 

If you have reason to believethat you may be infected or have these symptoms, see a doctor for testing.

 

HepatitisC Treatment

Somepatients learn they have hepatitis through a routine physical or when theydonate blood and a blood test shows elevated liver enzymes. Once diagnosed,health professionals recommend the following:


TAKE_TEST

Pediculosis

Pediculosis is an infestation of the hairy parts of the body or clothingwith the larvae, eggs, or adult lice. The crawling stages of this insectconsume human blood. Which causes excessive itching in areas of infestation.Head lice are usually located on the scalp, crab lice in the pubic area, andbody lice along seams of clothing, traveling to the skin to feed. Anyone canbecome louse infested under appropriate conditions. Pediculosis is easilytransmitted from person to person through direct contact. Head liceinfestations are commonly found in school settings or institutions. Crab liceinfestations can be found among sexually active individuals. Body liceinfestation generally can be found in people living in unsanitary conditions,and lacking hygiene where clothing is infrequently changed or laundered. Forboth head lice and body lice, transmission can occur during direct contact withan infested individual, or through sharing of clothing, combs or brushes. Whileother means are possible, crab lice are most often transmitted through sexualcontact.

 

Usually, the first evidence of an infestation is the itching orscratching in the area of the body where the lice feed. Scratching at the backof the head or around the ears should lead to an examination for head louseeggs (nits) on the hair. Itching around the genital area should lead to anexamination for crab lice or their eggs. Scratching can be sufficiently intenseto result in secondary bacterial infection in these areas. It may take as longas 2 to 3 weeks or longer for a person to notice the intense itching associatedwith this infestation. Pediculosis can be spread as long as lice or eggs remainalive on the infested person or clothing.

 

Medicated shampoos or cream rinses containing lindane or pyrethrin areused to kill lice. Products containing pyrethrin are availableover-the-counter, but those containing lindane are available only through aphysician's prescription. Lindane is not recommended for infants, youngchildren, and pregnant or lactating women. Re-treatment after 7 to 10 days isrecommended to assure that no eggs have survived. Nit combs are available tohelp remove nits from hair. Dose and duration of shampoo treatment should be followedaccording to label instructions.

 

Physical contact with infested individuals and their belongings,especially clothing, headgear, combs, and bedding, should be avoided. Healtheducation on the life history of lice, proper treatment, and the importance oflaundering clothing and bedding in hot water (140°F for 20 minutes), or drycleaning to destroy lice and eggs, is extremely valuable. In addition, regularinspection of children, especially of children in schools, institutions, andsummer camps, is crucial in detecting infestation.

 

Ringworm

Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus that affects the scalp,skin, fingers, toenails, or feet. Anyone can get ringworm. Children are moresusceptible to certain varieties, while adults may be more affected by others.Transmission of these fungal agents can occur by direct skin-to-skin contactwith infected people or pets, or indirectly by contact with such items asbarber clippers, hair from infected people, shower stalls or floors.

 

Ringworm of the scalp usually begins as a small pimple, which becomeslarger in size, leaving scaly patches of temporary baldness. Infected hairsbecome brittle and break off easily. Occasionally, yellowish cup-like, crustyareas are seen. With ringworm of the nails, the affected nails become thicker,discolored, and brittle, or they will become chalky and disintegrate. Ringwormof the body appears as flat, spreading, ring-shaped areas. The edge is reddishand may be both dry and scaly, or moist and crusted. As it spreads, the centerarea clears and appears normal. Ringworm of the foot appears as a scaling orcracking of the skin, especially between the toes.

 

The incubation period is unknown for most of these agents, however,ringworm of the scalp is usually seen 10 to 14 days after contact, and ringwormof the body is seen 4 to 10 days after initial contact. Since so many speciesof fungus can cause ringworm, infection with one species will not make a personimmune to future infections.

 

Your doctor may prescribe fungicidal tablets to swallow, or powders thatcan be applied directly to the affected areas. Griseofulvin is an oralmedication, commonly prescribed for treatment of fungal infections ofthe skin, scalp, and nails where topical therapy has failed or is considered inappropriate.

 

Towels, hats, and clothing of the infected individual should not beshared with others. Young children who are infected should minimize closecontact with other children until they are effectively treated. When multiplecases occur, seek advice from your local health department.

 

Syphilis

Syphilis, a bacterial infection, is primarily a sexually transmitteddisease (STD). Any person that is sexually active can be infected withsyphilis, although there is a greater incidence among young people between theages of 15 and 30 years. It is more prevalent in urban areas. Syphilis isspread by sexual contact with an infected individual, with the exception ofcongenital syphilis, which is spread from mother to fetus. Transmission bysexual contact requires exposure to moist lesions of skin or mucous membranes.

 

The first sign of syphilis is generally one or more painless sores thatbecome visible at the site of initial contact. It might be accompanied byswollen glands, which develop within a week after the appearance of the firstsore. The sore will persist for 1 to 5 weeks and will vanish by itself, even ifno medical care is obtained. Roughly 6 weeks after the sore first appears, aperson will enter the second stage of the disease. The most likely symptomduring this stage is a rash, which might appear on any part of the body: trunk,arms, legs, palms, soles, etc. Other, more generalized symptoms includefatigue, swollen glands, fever, headaches, loss of appetite, and sore throat.These symptoms will last 2 to 6 weeks and will disappear with or withoutmedical care. After the second stage of the disease, the only way syphilis canbe detected is through a blood test, although secondary symptoms mightsporadically occur again. Persons having syphilis for over four years maysuffer from illness in the skin, bones, central nervous system, and heart, andmay experience a reduced life expectancy, impaired health, and limitedoccupational efficiency.

 

How soon do symptoms appear? Symptoms can emerge from 10 to 90 days afteran individual becomes infected, though usually within 3 to 4 weeks. Symptomsoften go unnoticed or are thought to be minor abrasions or heat rash, thustreatment is not sought.

 

When and for how long is a person able to spread syphilis? Syphilis isconsidered to be contagious for duration of up to 2 years, perhaps more. Theextent of communicability depends on the existence of infectious lesions(sores), which may or may not be visible. There is no natural immunity tosyphilis and prior infection lends no defense to the patient. Syphilis istreated with penicillin or tetracycline. The amount of medication a patientmust take and treatment depends on the stage of syphilis. Expectant women witha history of allergic reaction to penicillin should undergo penicillindesensitization, followed by appropriate penicillin therapy.

 

Untreated syphilis can lead to destruction of soft tissue and bone, heartfailure, insanity, blindness, and a variety of other conditions, which may bemild to incapacitating. Equally as important, a pregnant woman with untreatedsyphilis will transmit the disease to her unborn child, which may result indeath or deformity of the child. Physicians and hospitals are required to testpregnant women for syphilis at prenatal visits. Tests of newborns or theirmothers are required at the time of delivery. There are a number of ways toprevent the spread of syphilis:

 

·        Limit your numberof sex partners.

·        Use a condom.

·        Carefully washgenitals after sexual relations.

·        If you think youare infected, avoid any sexual contact and visit your local STD clinic, ahospital, or your doctor.

·        Notify all sexualcontacts immediately so they can obtain examination and treatment.

·        All pregnant womenshould receive at least one prenatal blood test for syphilis.

 

Universal Sanitation andSterilization Precautions and Recommendations for Salon Professionals

Because of the importance to the safety of you and your clients“Universal Precautions” will be covered in both this section on HIV/AIDS and inthe section on sanitation and sterilization. This information cannot bestressed enough. Universal Barrier protection, personal cleanliness, and properdisinfection are the three “precautions” that make up the meaning of  “Universal Precautions.”  All three methods must be used to becompletely effective.

 

Barrier Protection - Puts a shield between you and your clients.

Personal Cleanliness - Includes washing your hands, keeping your workarea clean, etc.

Disinfection - Refers to removing germs from your tools, equipment,and work area.

 

u Hands should be washed before and after clientcontact, and washed immediately if hands become contaminated with blood orother body fluids. Hands should also be washed after removing gloves.

v Gloves should be worn whenever there is apossibility of contact with body fluids. Personal service workers (e.g.,hairdressers, barbers, cosmetologists, massage therapists) should wear gloveswhen waxing, giving manicures/pedicures, facials, tweezing or any other servicethat could possibly draw blood.

w Masks should be worn whenever there is apossibility of splashing or splattering of body fluids.

x Both clients and beauty professionals shouldwear smocks if soiling of clothing or splashing on exposed skin is likely.

y To minimize the risks for exchange of bodyfluids during resuscitation procedures, pocket masks or mechanical ventilationdevices should be readily available where these procedures are likely to beneeded.

z Spills of blood or blood-contaminated bodyfluids should be cleaned up using a hospital level disinfectant approved by theEPA for use on blood spills.

{ Beauty professionals, who have open lesions,dermatitis, or other skin irritations, should not participate in direct clientcontact and services and should never handle contaminated equipment orsupplies, such as towels, smocks, capes, or even used cotton strips.

| Sharp objects such as shears, razors, nippers,tweezers and needles tend to pose the greatest risk for exposure. Contaminatedneedles and other such disposable objects should be discarded into apuncture-resistant “sharps” container designed for this purpose.  Use a hospital level disinfectant approvedby the EPA to wipe implements with a cutting edge to disinfect contaminatedreusable objects, such as shears, etc. Another approved method of disinfectionis to clean, and then soak in a 1 to 1000 parts solution of an EPA registeredquaternary ammonium compound (Quats) for 10 minutes. The EPA has also listed“Lysol” as a killer of HIV. It can be used right out of the bottle to wipesalon surfaces and floors.

 

SafeDisinfecting Practices for the Salon

When disinfecting your salon, itis recommended that you use hospital-quality disinfectants for all tools andinstruments. Other disinfecting solutions that have been popular for years, nolonger provide the necessary level of germ killing with the onset of Hepatitisand HIV. By using the same types of disinfectants that are used in hospitals,you can help to insure that your salon is free from many of the harmful germsthat may be present. When selecting a disinfectant, be sure the product bearsthe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration label and is hospitallevel quality.

TAKE_TEST

 

References:

Florida AIDS Hotline “AIDSStatistics”, and “History of The Red Ribbon.”

 

National AIDS Hotline:1-800-342-2437

 

The American Lung Association/January 2002

http://www.lungusa.org/diseases/lungtb.html

 

Centers for Disease Control, “Semiannual HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report.”  December 31,2002.

 

U.S. THE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institute of Allergy and InfectiousDiseases Public Health Service: Fact Sheet May 2000

 

National Center for Biological Information

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/

 

Tuberculosis: “The ConnectionBetween TB & HIV”, CDC Handbook.

 

World Health Organization, “REPORT on the globalHIV/AIDS epidemic;” “Global estimates 2002.”

 

Pediculosis.com

http://www.pediculosis.com/problem.html

 

The Centers for DiseaseControl

http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Fact_Sheets/Syphilis_Facts.htm

 

Schering Corporation: 2002/http://www.all-about-hepatitisc.com/about/what_is/symptoms.jsp


 

TAKE_TEST

Powered By: Crafty Syntax