May 18
Doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and other staff who work in any health care setting are at the risk of being exposed to HIV infection. This may be through injury from contaminated needles or sharp instruments or through contact of the eye, nose, mouth or the skin with infected blood. The risk through contact with infected [...] [...more]
Posted: under HIV.
Doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and other staff who work in any health care setting are at the risk of being exposed to HIV infection. This may be through injury from contaminated needles or sharp instruments or through contact of the eye, nose, mouth or the skin with infected blood. The risk through contact with infected blood is greater when the health care worker has cuts or wounds in his/her skin.
Several studies have indicated that most exposures for health care workers do not result in HIV infection. The risk of infection varies with the type of exposure and three main factors:
a. The amount of infected blood involved in the exposure;
b. The amount of virus in the infected blood at the time of exposure; and
c. Whether any medicines for HIV infection are taken after the accidental exposure.
The risk of getting HIV infection after a pin-prick with an infected needle or superficial cuts with infected sharp instruments is reported to be about 0.3 per cent. The risk after exposure of the eyes, nose or mouth to infected blood is about 0.1 per cent. The risk after exposure of the skin to infected blood is estimated to be less than 0.1 per cent. This risk is present only if there are cuts or wounds on the skin. So far no case has been reported of HIV infection through intact skin.
Most injuries with needles can be prevented by practising standard precautions (such as not recapping needle by hand) and by disposing used needles in suitable containers. Protective wear such as gloves, eye and face protection and gowns can prevent accidental exposure to eyes, mouth and skin.
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Mar 16
Although scientists have been searching for a vaccine to protect people from HIV infection since 1983, they have had no success so far. The only effective prevention strategies all closely relate to the means by which people contract HIV As we said earlier, it is not the mere fact of membership in a so-called high-risk [...] [...more]
Posted: under HIV.
Although scientists have been searching for a vaccine to protect people from HIV infection since 1983, they have had no success so far. The only effective prevention strategies all closely relate to the means by which people contract HIV As we said earlier, it is not the mere fact of membership in a so-called high-risk group (homosexuals, sex workers, intravenous drug users, etc.) that increases the probability of HIV infection, but instead risky behaviors.
HIV infection and AIDS are not uncontrollable conditions. You can reduce your risks by the choices you make in sexual behaviors and the responsibilities you take for your health and for that of your loved ones.
Because the status of your immune system is an important factor in your susceptibility to any of the STIs, it is important that you do everything possible to protect yourself. Adequate nutrition, sleep, stress management, vaccinations, and other preventive maintenance strategies can do a great deal to ensure your long-term health.
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Feb 23
HIV viral load assays should not be used for the diagnosis of chronic HIV infection but may be very useful for the diagnosis of primary HIV infection if results are interpreted properly. Viral load testing has become a critical component in the management of chronically HIV-infected patients, as the results may be used to forecast [...] [...more]
Posted: under HIV.
HIV viral load assays should not be used for the diagnosis of chronic HIV infection but may be very useful for the diagnosis of primary HIV infection if results are interpreted properly.
Viral load testing has become a critical component in the management of chronically HIV-infected patients, as the results may be used to forecast a decrement in CD4 cells or guide antiretroviral therapy. These tests are based either on polymerase chain reaction or on DNA polymerization techniques and measure the number of copies of HIV nucleic acid in a patient’s serum.
During primary HIV infection, viral loads are often exceptionally high, almost universally greater than 100,000 copies per milliliter. Since (as noted earlier) ELISA testing may not yet be positive, viral load testing should be performed in patients with suspected primary HIV. However, the results of such testing must be interpreted with caution. Low positive results (less than 10,000 copies per milliliter) are usually not indicative of primary infection and may represent false-positive results for any HIV infection. Therefore, in the case any low positive result, testing should be repeated before the results are used to diagnose acute or chronic infection. It is unclear how to interpret results between 10,000 and 100,000 copies per milliliter when testing for primary HIV infection; consultation with a specialist is advised.
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Feb 16
HIV cannot, like cold or flu viruses, be caught casually HIV transmission depends on specific behaviors; this is true of other STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) as well. Countless other STIs have the potential to make you uncomfortable at the very least, increase your risk for cancer, lead to infertility, and/or result in serious, life-threatening consequences. [...] [...more]
Posted: under HIV.
HIV cannot, like cold or flu viruses, be caught casually HIV transmission depends on specific behaviors; this is true of other STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) as well. Countless other STIs have the potential to make you uncomfortable at the very least, increase your risk for cancer, lead to infertility, and/or result in serious, life-threatening consequences. It is up to you to behave responsibly. You can do several things to protect yourself and reduce your risk.
First, consider these basic risk-reduction strategies:
• Avoid casual sexual partners. Ideally, only have sex if you are in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with someone who is equally committed to the relationship and whose HIV status is negative.
• Avoid unprotected intimate sexual activity involving the exchange of blood, semen, or vaginal secretions with people whose present or past behaviors put them at risk for infection. Do not be afraid to ask intimate questions about your partners sexual past. You expose yourself to your partner’s history whenever you choose to have sexual relations. Postpone sexual involvement until you are assured that he or she is not infected.
• All sexually active adults who are not in a lifelong monogamous relationship should practice safer sex by using latex condoms. Remember, however, that condoms still do not provide 100 percent safety.
• Never share injecting needles with anyone for any reason.
• Never share any devices through which the exchange of blood could occur, including needles, razors, tattoo instruments, any body-piercing instruments, and any other sharp objects.
• Avoid injury to body tissue during sexual activity. HIV can enter the bloodstream through microscopic tears in anal or vaginal tissues.
• Avoid unprotected oral sex or any sexual activity in which semen, blood, or vaginal secretions could penetrate mucous membranes through breaks in the membrane. Always use a condom or a dental dam during oral sex.
• Avoid using drugs that may dull your senses and affect your ability to make decisions about responsible precautions with potential sex partners.
• Wash your hands before and after sexual encounters. Urinate after sexual relations and, if possible, wash your genitals.
• Although total abstinence is the only absolute means of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, abstinence can be a difficult choice to make. If you are in doubt about the potential risks of having sex, consider other means of intimacy, at least until you can assure your safety. Enjoyable and safer alternatives include massage, dry kissing, hugging, holding and touching, and masturbation (alone or with a partner).
• When receiving care from medical professionals such as dentists or doctors, make sure they take appropriate precautions to prevent potential transmission, including washing their hands and wearing gloves and masks. Be sure that all equipment used for treatment is properly sterilized.
• If you are worried about your own HIV status, have yourself tested rather than risk infecting others inadvertently.
• If you are a woman and HIV positive, you should take the steps necessary to ensure that you do not become pregnant.
• If you suspect that you may be infected or if you test positive for HIV antibodies, do not donate blood, semen, or body organs.
Second, at no time in your life is it more important that you communicate openly and honestly than when you are considering having an intimate relationship. Do not be afraid to ask questions, so you can then make an informed decision about whether you should get involved. Remember that you can’t just tell if someone is infected with one of these diseases. Anyone who has ever had sex with anyone else or has injected drugs is at risk, and they may not even know it. The following tips can help you communicate about potential risks:
• Remember that you have a responsibility to your partner to disclose your status. You also have a responsibility to yourself to do what needs to be done to stay healthy. Do not be afraid to ask about your partner’s HIV status. If either person’s status is unknown, suggest going through the testing together as a means of sharing something important.
• Be direct, honest, and determined in talking about sex before you become involved. Do not act silly or evasive. Get to the point, ask clear questions, and do not be put off in receiving a response. Remember, a person who does not care enough to talk about sex probably does not care enough to take responsibility for his or her actions.
• Discuss the issues without sounding defensive or accusatory. Develop a personal comfort level with the subject prior to raising the issue with your partner. Be prepared with complete information and articulate your feelings clearly. Reassure your partner that your reasons for desiring abstinence or safer sex arise from respect and not distrust. Sharing feelings is easier in a calm, suspicion-free environment in which both people feel comfortable.
• Encourage your partner to be honest and to share feelings. This will not happen overnight. If you have never had a serious conversation with this person before you get into an intimate situation, you cannot expect honesty and openness when the lights go out.
• Analyze your own beliefs and values ahead of time. The worst thing you can do is to get yourself into an awkward situation before you have had time to think about what is important to you and what you believe in. Know where you will draw the line on certain actions, and be very clear with your partner about what you expect. If you believe that using a condom is necessary make sure you communicate this to your partner.
• Decide what you will do if your partner does not agree with you. Anticipate your partner’s potential objections or excuses, and prepare your responses accordingly.
• Ask questions about your partner’s history. Although it may seem as though you are prying into another person’s business, your own health future depends upon knowing basic information about your partner’s past. An idea of your partner’s past sexual practices and use of drug injecting is very valuable. Again, it is important to let your partner know why you are concerned and that you are not inquiring due to jealousy or other ulterior motives.
• Ask about the significance of monogamy in your partner’s relationships. A basic question to ask before becoming involved in a regular sexual relationship is: “How important is a committed relationship to you?” You will need to decide early how important this relationship is to you and how much you are willing to work at arriving at an acceptable compromise on lifestyle.
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