Routine Practices Previously known as universal precautions Infection

Routine Practices • Previously known as “universal precautions” • Infection prevention and control practices to be used by: ü all students ü all staff AT ALL TIMES

Routine Practices Include • Hand washing • Use protective barriers correctly • Dispose of contaminated articles safely • Clean contaminated surfaces • Take precautions to reduce possibility of exposure to blood borne infections

Why are Routine Practices Important? • An individual’s infection status is confidential • An individual’s infection status may not be known Therefore, Always Use Routine Practices

Routine Practices Assumes… • All blood, body fluids and secretions are potentially infectious • Therefore, precautions must be applied at all times

What Fluids Do I Need to Worry About? • Blood • Semen • Vaginal fluids • Saliva (Hep B Only) • Any other fluids contaminated with blood

What Are the Blood Borne Infections? • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) • HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) • HCV (Hepatitis C Virus)

What is HIV? (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) • Virus attacks and damages the immune system • Results in the inability to fight infections • May progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

What Happens If I Get HIV? • May spread the disease without knowing it • May take years to develop symptoms after infection • No cure, but treatment is available

HIV Testing • HIV Antibody Test • 12 Week Window Period • 99. 9% Accurate • Point of CARE (POC) Testing: -Done by fingerprick blood test -Results received within minutes

How Do You Get HIV? • Direct exposure from an individual who has HIV: o Blood o Semen o Vaginal Fluids • Babies can become infected if their mothers are HIV+: o While developing in the uterus o During birthing o From breast milk

What Activities Do Not Spread HIV Infection? • Shaking hands • Hugging • Kissing • Sneezing • Coughing • Donating blood • Drinking from the same glass

What Does Not Transmit HIV Infection? • Bed Linen • Food • Mosquitoes • Swimming pools • Toilet seats

What is Hepatitis B? • Virus that infects the liver and can cause permanent liver damage • Transmission via blood, semen, vaginal fluids and saliva • 45 – 160 days after exposure before symptoms appear • Vaccine available to prevent getting the disease

What Happens to Those People Who Get Hepatitis B? • About half the people never feel sick • Can spread the disease without knowing it • 90% recover and feel better they are now immune to Hep B • 9% remain carriers • 1% may die

What Is Hepatitis C? • Virus that infects and damages the liver • Transmission primarily through blood: o Blood transfusions before 1990 o Injection drug use with shared equipment o Piercing and Tattooing with shared equipment

What Happens If I Get Hepatitis C? • Some have a short, mild illness and get rid of the virus • 60 – 80% never get rid of the virus even though they may feel well for a long time (carriers) • Can spread the disease without knowing it • No Vaccine, but effective treatment available

What Is Hepatitis A? • Not blood borne • Spread by fecal contamination of food & water • Common with improper toileting hygiene • Infectious period: o 15 – 50 days before symptoms appear o 2 weeks after symptoms appear • Acute illness lasts 2 – 12 weeks • Vaccine Available Key to Prevention is Hand Washing

Hand Washing • The cornerstone of infection prevention

Always wash your hands… • After contact with any blood or body fluids • Before preparing, handling, serving or eating food • When hands are visibly soiled • After personal use of toilet or wiping nose • Immediately after removing gloves

Proper Hand Washing • Use soap and warm water • Scrub your hands very well • Wash between fingers, wrists, under fingernails, backs of hands • Rinse • Dry your hands with a paper towel • REMEMBER to turn off the water using a paper towel instead of your hands

More on Hand Washing • Use soap pumps at common areas • Replace soap pumps when empty • Clean soap pumps before refilling • Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used when sinks are not available

Good Hygiene Means Always… • Use disposable, one-use tissues for wiping nose • Cover nose or mouth when coughing, sneezing • Sneeze into elbow instead of hand • Wash hands after coughing, sneezing or using tissues • Keep hands away from mucous membranes of eyes and nose

Always Wear Gloves… • For contact with blood, body fluids, and secretions • If you have open sores on your hands • Remove gloves promptly after use and wash hands • Gloves should not be reused or washed

Clean Contaminated Surfaces • Spills of blood or other body fluids should be immediately cleaned up with a fresh mixture of household bleach (1 part) and water (9 parts)

And Another Thing… • Cover small cuts and sores with Band-Aids • A person with open sores on hands or who has dermatitis is not the best person to do first aid • First aid person should always have disposable gloves available • Disposable gloves do not stand up to washing – soap and detergent cause disintegration of latex and vinyl

If you have an Exposure ACT IMMEDIATELY!

Exposure to HIV Requires Immediate Action IMMEDIATE FIRST AID: • Encourage bleeding • Remove contaminated clothing • Wash area with soap and water • Flush mucous membranes (eyes/mouth/nose) with water • Report and document details of exposure/injury to your supervisor • Go to the nearest Emergency Department for assessment of risk, necessary treatment, and blood work

Remember! Always Wash Your Hands! • Hand washing is the single most important means of protecting yourself and others!

Always Remember • Reducing the spread of infection is everyone’s business!

For More Information Call… the Sexual Health Information Line to speak with a Public Health Nurse 905. 528. 5894