Nursing Assistant Monthly FEBRUARY 2008 HIV/AIDS and Older Adults Caring for residents with HIV...

Nursing Assistant Monthly FEBRUARY 2008 HIV/AIDS and Older Adults

Caring for residents with HIV infection

HIV/AIDS in older adults


Why are we seeing HIV/AIDS in older adults?

• Better treatment for HIV infection is leading to longer life spans

• More older adults are getting infected (they don’t think they are at risk)


What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus

CAUSES

AIDS = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome


Are you more likely to get infected with HIV…

1) at work, caring for a resident with

AIDS?

OR

2) after work in your personal life?

(Answer: next slide)


Are you more likely to get infected with HIV…

after you leave work.

Why?


HIV Is Not Spread By:

Routine caregiving:• Bathing• Feeding • Toileting, unless blood is present and

somehow enters your bloodstream ( for example, through a cut in your skin)


HIV Is Not Spread By:

Casual contact:• Shaking hands• Kissing (closed mouth)• Hugging• Sneezing


Through the exchange of bodily fluids:• Blood• Semen• Pre-ejaculate fluid (fluid from the penis during sexual

arousal)• Vaginal fluids• Breast milk• During unprotected sexual activity, sharing needles to inject

drugs, tattoos, breastfeeding, labor and delivery, blood transfusions in the past (today the blood supply is screened)

HIV infection IS spread


Remember!

• Not all residents are tested• Therefore, any resident could be infected

with HIV• That’s why we use standard precautions to

protect ourselves


At work, the risk is small

• But it does exist• Learn how to protect yourself

• Wear gloves for contact bodily fluids

• Mask, gown, and/or goggles if bodily fluids are likely to spray you


In your personal life

• Practice safe sex• Good hand washing• Never share needles, razors, toothbrush• Disinfect surfaces soiled with bodily fluids• Learn all you can about HIV and AIDS• Consider getting tested; talk to your doctor

or health care practitioner for advice

Nursing Assistant Monthly FEBRUARY 2008 HIV/AIDS and Older Adults Caring for residents with HIV...

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