HYGIENE AND CARE

Hygiene - the science that studies the influence of various environmental factors on human health, lifespan and performance. In this article we will talk about the features of hygiene, associated with HIV infection. This is important for both the patient and caring for them. Some of the tips addressed to the patient, some caregivers, and some both. We pay special attention to personal hygiene, hygiene in the household, as well as the methods of disinfection.

In conclusion prompted a number of tips designed specifically caring for patients.

Good hygiene or performing hygienic measures protect human health and prevent the spread of the causative agents of many infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis viruses, enteric bacteria, etc.

If you follow the rules of hygiene, the probability that family members, friend or health worker, attendant of the patient, HIV infection is extremely low. Profoundly incorrect narrow-minded view that HIV-positive people are dangerous to the environment. Practice shows that people who care for the sick, even knowing that the probability of infection is low, still have concerns.

For example, they are afraid of becoming infected through feces or other human secretions. These fears are natural. If you as a caregiver can effortlessly carry out their work and follow the rules of hygiene, the fear usually passes quickly. People exposed to fear, must avoid the appearance of his manifestation, as the patient feels that others are tense and this can cause him emotional pain. If the fear of Contracting does not disappear even after these issues were thoroughly discussed with a doctor or nurse, it is better to refuse for a while from the care of patients with HIV-infection. Over time, many caregivers lose their vigilance and are no longer as carefully as at first, to observe the rules of hygiene. They don't think about the possibility of becoming infected. But this is dangerous. This should not happen. Man the caretaker needs to observe the rules of hygiene!

The risk of infection exists only when in contact with blood, semen, and secretions of your vagina.

In the urine, faeces, vomit, saliva, tears, and sweat HIV has, however, so small quantity, that these allocations are not contagious. But if the feces, urine, vomit and saliva there is visible blood, it is already the case when the risk of HIV infection exists. This Chapter will describe the rules of hygiene that must be followed to prevent HIV infection after contact with blood, semen or vaginal secretions of the patient. In other cases, HIV infection does not occur. Run the same rules of hygiene necessary to prevent infection of any other infectious diseases.

Gloves are used:

• if a person comes into contact with blood, semen, or secretions of the vagina (there is a risk of HIV infection);
• if there is direct contact with feces, urine or vomit (there is a risk of Contracting other infectious diseases such as intestinal infections);
• if the skin care is damaged and you can't use the patch.

The mask is needed to prevent infections transmitted via coughing and sneezing (particularly tuberculosis).

The apron is needed to protect clothing from contamination with feces, urine, vomiting, etc.

The difference between cleaning and disinfection is that when cleaning only remove dirt, and during the disinfection destroys infectious agents (including HIV) by disinfectants.

At home for people with HIV infection always need cleaning. The use of disinfectants is necessary if there is a risk of Contracting opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis.

Some pieces of furniture and floors should be decontaminated only when there is a risk of HIV infection, i.e. if they are contaminated with blood or secretions of the vagina.

Disinfection of produce as soon as possible after contamination. During the disinfection used rubber gloves, preferably disposable (you can buy them at the pharmacy).

The first stage of decontamination: wipe with napkins (preferably paper). After use they should be immediately placed into a plastic bag, as they become infected.

The second phase of decontamination: wash the surface with hot water using regular detergent (soap or detergent).

The third stage of decontamination: treat the surface with a disinfecting agent (carefully clean the surface with a rag soaked with disinfecting solution, then rinse with clean water). Disposable gloves should be discarded; rubber kitchen gloves to wash with detergent, then treated with disinfectant to rinse under running water and finally wash your hands.

It is best to buy ready-made disinfecting tools in stores or pharmacies and use them according to instructions.

Solutions containing chlorine:

• Sold in store concentrated solutions of chlorine should be diluted in proportions corresponding to the required concentration.
• Never mix solutions containing chlorine, with other drugs, it can cause dangerous fumes.
• Avoid contact of children with solutions of chlorine.
• Chlorine has bleaching property (there are white spots on clothing, the floor coatings, etc.) and corrosive to metals.
• The chlorine solution should be stored in a dark room.
• You cannot use the chlorine solution for skin treatment (never - to treat wounds).
• You need to maintain caution when you use chlorine in small enclosed spaces, good ventilation is required when working with chlorine solutions, as chlorine can form toxic fumes.

Alcohol-containing disinfecting means.

These products contain about 85% ethanol. The advantage of the fact that they have a fast effect and do not cause severe irritation of the skin. The disadvantage is that they are flammable and therefore require care to use. It is especially important to remember those who are arrested in connection with the use of medications or because of disease.

With extended use of these tools can cause damage to synthetic fabrics and skin irritation. You must know that alcohol loses its activity when in contact with organic substances (such as blood or excrement), thus disinfection of these tools first need to clean the surface.