Preventive Measures You Can Take Concerning HIV Infection
There are certain things you can do to help safeguard yourself against acquiring HIV. As such, there are already
practices put into place that reduce the risk of being infected by the disease. We will explore some of them
here.
If you need a blood transfusion, you are much safer than you used to be and there are some safeguards you can do
yourself. Blood transfusions have come a long way regarding safety for the patient. The risk of contacting a
serious infection has improved in the last few years. It is now a ratio of one to every 5000.
The FDA now keeps close tabs on blood banks. Even to mandating test that shrink the time, or rather the
window in which serious infections can occur. The window of time was 24 weeks, and now it is down to four
weeks.
The test is licensed and if blood banks are not in compliance or not following the regulations, the FDA will
close them down.
Another improvement in the extensive prescreening of donor patients.
Is the fact that questions are asked about whether a person uses intravenous drugs. They are also asked
questions concerning drug abuse and questions about alternative lifestyles before they are allowed to donate blood.
With the new tests and better regulations along with prescreening the risk of infectious disease is now a ratio of
1 to 700,000
Doctors are also now performing fewer blood transfusions. They are only giving patients blood when a person’s
life is in danger and would possibly die if blood were not transfused. Blood banks are now screening donated
blood for a wide variety of serious infections that are transmitted via blood. They’re attempting to detect
pathogens that are present in the blood.
But there are some preventative measures person can take with regard to acquiring aids and future surgeries.
To avoid the risk of HIV or other serious infections a person can donate his or her own blood into advance.
Thus avoiding tainted blood being used. This is called autologous donation.
If you donate your own blood, be sure the doctor contacts hospital transfusion service prior to your admission date
so you will be sure of getting your own blood donation.
Did You Know?
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The best and most certain way of not getting HIV or AIDS is to avoid contact with
body fluids from an infected person. Contact can occur during homosexual or heterosexual
activity.
Body fluids find an opening in the body and the infection is passed to another
person. The virus can get into the vagina, anus, mouth, and eyes. A person with an open cut or
wound can allow the virus into their body. If you are in the medical profession, it is urgent you
take precautions while handling patients.
Gloves, masks, and goggles are necessary to protect from accidental infection of
the HIV virus. Research on the HIV virus and the disease of AIDS has been continuing since the
early 1980’s.
The epidemic is growing and scientists and researchers are constantly working on
vaccines and new therapies for AIDS and other HIV associated conditions. There are over 30 HIV
vaccines that are being tested on humans, and there are many other drugs for HIV or AIDS related
infections that are still being developed and tested by major laboratories.
Researchers are still trying to trace how the disease progresses and how it damages
the immune system.
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You can also ask if you are the candidate for bloodless surgery. This is accomplished by the use of
lasers. This along with drugs controls the loss of blood. Being virtually blood free during and after surgery
eliminates the need of a blood transfusion.
The recycling of your own blood during surgery is another method of preventing serious infections. This is
most useful during emergency surgery. But cannot be used if the blood is contaminated with cancer cells or
bacteria from tumor removal or intestinal surgery.
The procedure is known as (Ita) interoperative autologouse and your own blood is reintroduced back into your
body. Most operating rooms are now equipped to do this procedure.
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AIDS Facts
The best way to avoid HIV aids is to avoid taking part in risky behavior, so make
sure to not have unprotected sex and make sure to use sterilized needles for injections.
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The possibility of getting HIV from medical and dental instruments is very slight. But you
can request that they sterilize their instruments with ethylene oxide gas or peracetic acid. There is usually
a small amount of blood tainted lubricants that are used on equipment, such as endoscopes for viewing the
respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Glularaldehyde is generally used, but it is ineffective against HIV
disease.
You should allow at least six weeks prior to surgery to find out what options are available to you and if any
alternative methods can be implemented to help you further safeguard against possible infection of HIV.
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