AIDS - Keele University
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Department of Occupational Health and Safety

 

Department of Occupational Health and Safety

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Since the first cases of AIDS were recognised in 1981 a vast amount of information has been collected indicating that the risk of transmission of this disease at work is very low. General guidance has been issued jointly by the Department of Employment and the Health and Safety Executive 'AIDS and the Workplace'. There is little evidence of risk of infection at work. It has not been shown to be transmitted during first aid, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. There is considerably more risk of transmission of Hepatitis B in work situations through accidental blood to blood contact, and the simple hygiene precautions which should be followed to prevent this will reduce of risk of all blood-borne infections.

These include:

  • protecting against puncture wounds, cuts and abrasions and covering existing wounds;
  • avoiding contamination of the person or clothing with blood or body fluids, and practising basic hygiene;
  • controlling surface contamination by blood or body fluids by containment and disinfection;
  • avoiding the use of 'sharps', e.g. needles, scalpels, glassware or where their use is essential, handling and disposing of them with particular care, i.e. the use of plastic disposal boxes;
  • disposing of contaminated waste safely (consult the Health and Safety Unit).

Further information on this subject can be obtained from the Occupational Health Manager. A fact sheet which follows can be handed to any interested employee or student.

HIV and AIDS the Facts

There are so many different reports about HIV and AIDS that you may be feeling confused about what the facts really are.

This fact sheet gives the answers to some of the most common questions that people ask about HIV and AIDS.

What is the Difference between HIV and AIDS?

Many people think that HIV and AIDS are the same thing. They're not.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV can damage the body's defence system so that it cannot fight certain infections. When a person is infected with the virus it can be found in their body fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. A person who is infected with the virus is said to be HIV antibody positive or HIV positive.

AIDS stands for the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is the condition where the body's defence system has been broken down by HIV and can no longer fight infections. A person is said to have AIDS when they are affected by certain serious illnesses, such as some cancers and pneumonias, which occur as a result of this.

So far as known, the majority of people infected with HIV will eventually develop AIDS. But how long this takes varies from person to person, with some people looking and feeling perfectly healthy for 10 years or more.

How is HIV Passed On?

HIV is passed on from person to person through contact with body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. HIV is not passed on by touching, shaking hands, hugging, sneezing, coughing, cups, cutlery, toilet seats, food, towels. It's not known to be passed on through tears or sweat.

Am I at Risk from HIV at Work?

It is extremely unlikely that you will get HIV at work unless you have unprotected sex or share needles or syringes with an infected colleague. Sharing a workplace with someone who has HIV is perfectly safe, so long as you don't get their blood or other body fluids into your body.

Do First Aiders Have to Take Special Precautions?

No. The standard precautions first aiders already take to avoid infections such as Hepatitis B will be equally effective against HIV.

What Should I Do If I Have to Give First Aid?

This is safe so long as you follow standard procedures for protecting yourself against infection. Always cover up any exposed cuts or abrasions you have with a waterproof dressing before treating a casualty and wear disposable gloves if they are available. Unbroken skin is a natural barrier.

You should always wash your hands both before and after applying dressings.

If you have to mop up blood or other body fluids, always wear disposable plastic gloves and an apron. Clean the area using diluted bleach (one part bleach to nine parts water) using paper towels which should be put in a plastic bag and burned afterwards.

There is no evidence that there is any risk from giving mouth to mouth resuscitation.

What if I Need First Aid?

This is safe so long as the person giving you first aid follows the routine procedures and recommendations outlined above.

What about Blood Transfusions?

In the UK some people who had a blood transfusion or were treated with blood products before 1986 have become infected with HIV. Now all blood used for transfusion in the UK is screened to make sure it does not contain HIV. The risk of getting HIV from a blood transfusion in the UK is now negligible.

What about Giving Blood?

In the UK you cannot get HIV when donating blood because all equipment used is sterile and is only used once.

Where Can I Get More Information?

You can get more information on HIV and AIDS and talk to a trained adviser by calling the National AIDS Helpline on 0800 567 123. Calls are free, confidential and can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Croner's Industrial Health and Safety (August 1996) © Copyright Croner Publications Ltd. 1995