HIV

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HIV This is a virus, which attacks and damages the body’s defence system, stopping it from effectively fighting certain infections. There is currently no cure for HIV. Symptoms Many people show no symptoms others have a short feverish illness similar to glandular fever How can I catch it? Blood of infected individuals Body fluids contaminated with blood Semen and vaginal fluid Breast feeding (from infected mother to child) Tears, sweat and saliva are NOT considered to be a risk What precautions can I take? Initially, where possible, avoid contact If exposure to body fluids has occurred seek medical advice as soon as possible, as prophylaxis drugs, which are kept by A&E departments, need to be started within 1-2 hours of exposure. Cover all cuts and abrasions with sterile waterproof dressings Wear stab proof gloves when dealing with sharps such as needles Wash contaminated skin immediately with soap and water or with decontaminant wipes Wear stab proof gloves when dealing with sharps such as needles All non sharp waste which is contaminated with blood or body fluids should be double bagged into yellow clinical waste bags, sealed and labelled. Except all DNA sticks, intoximeter mouth pieces used in custody areas which must be placed in the sharps bin. Mobile breathalyser kit mouth pieces should be placed in the yellow clinical waste bags and returned to station for disposal. All sharps must be placed in the sharps box. Contaminated clothing should be removed with disposable gloves. It should then be placed in a double-bagged yellow clinical waste bag and taken to a dry cleaners or given to the contract laundry service. This also applies to contaminated bedding, which should then be given to the contract laundry service. Action in the event of sharps injury: If your skin has been pierced with a sharp object, which has possibly been contaminated with blood or body fluids, it should be washed with soap and water and encouraged to bleed by squeezing. The object should be collected and placed in an empty sharps box, as it may be required for testing. Try to establish when it was contaminated. Advice should then be sought from OHSD, local casualty or GP.