HIV/ AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a serious health threat in many countries. It presents numerous challenges for government and private organizations. HIV infects the immune system and AIDS is the most complex stage of the disease caused by HIV. HIV causes the immune system to become weak and vulnerable to many other infections. AS there is no cure or vaccine for AIDS right now, taking precautionary measures are crucial to protect yourself from this deadly disease.

HIV is transmitted from one person to another via unprotected sexual intercourse, organ transplant from an infected donor, contaminated needles and through transfusion of infected blood and/or blood products. HIV transmission does not occur through casual contact.

If your job requires you come in contact with contaminated blood or other body fluids, you are at the risk of getting infected. Exposure to HIV infection occurs through bare skin or mucous membrane contact with blood or body fluids and accidental puncture through needle or other sharp instrument infected with the blood.

Preventative Measures

1. Understand The Modes Of HIV Transmission

It is crucial to get as much details about HIV as possible. You also need to know how HIV is transmitted form one person to another. Appropriate training and awareness of infection control procedures can help prevent or reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

2. Safe Work Practices

If the workplace is subject to the risk of transmission of HIV, the employer should develop prevention and control programs to reduce the risk of infection. Work practices that involve unwanted exposure should be eliminated. Substituting, redesigning and improving some work methods can help prevent the risk of exposure to HIV. The employer need to segregate the processes like handling blood products in the laboratory and disposing clinical waste in order to reduce the number of people exposed to blood borne pathogens.

3. Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment like gloves and face masks should be worn while treating or giving care to HIV patients or while handling blood and blood products of infected persons to prevent infection in the occupational setting. Ensure all protective equipment is properly cleaned, decontaminated and sterilized. If you have cuts or wounds, you should cover them with waterproof dressing before exposing to blood or body fluids.

4. Hand Washing

Hand washing is the single most effective technique that helps prevent the risk of infection. You should wash your hands with soap and water after handling blood or body fluid. If possible, you can use warm water to wash your hands. You should also wash mucous membranes with plenty of water, if blood or body fluids come in contact with them.

5. Precaution While Handling Sharp Objects

You should not try to re-sheath, bend or break needles. You should keep needles and sharp instruments in appropriate containers for disposal. You should always use disposable sterile needles.

Minimizing exposure to blood and body fluids using protective equipment and following some preventative measures strictly can help you protect yourself against HIV/AIDS.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act) training helps provide health care professionals and other workers who are at the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens with adequate knowledge of HIV infections, precautions to be observed and disease control programs.

For more information, please visit our Bloodborne Pathogen Training website.

For more information, please visit our Bloodborne Pathogen Training website http://www.bbpexams.com/bloodborne_pathogen_training.html

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our Bloodborne Pathogen Training website.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: HIV infections,Handling Sharp Objects,Hand washing ,HIV transmission ,HIV,AIDS