Living with a Person with a Blood Born Virus
Nov 06 '00
NOTE: This epinion does not address sexual relations, but rather other aspects of living in the same household.
One out of every 60 Americans has Hepatitis C and about one out of every 400 is infected with HIV. More and more families are having to learn how to live together when one or more persons is carrying a blood-born virus in their body. Living with a person with a blood-born virus can be done safely and easily after a period of making some adjustments.
Do not wait until a diagnosis to make these changes to your family practices. Many person are infected with a blood-born virus and do not know it. HIV is transferred through sexual relations and needle sharing. Hepatitis C is infrequently spread through sexual relations, but is easily spread through needle sharing and was in the public blood supply until 1992 when effective screening was developed. Viruses can also be spread by sharing personal items, especially razors where one person can cut themself and then the next user get the virus.
I got Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion with surgery in 1984 and was not diagnosed until 1999. My daughter was born in 1985, so from her conception had lived with me. One of my friends got Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion 25 years ago and reared all of her children not knowing she had this virus.
We both had the same response to our diagnosis, "Oh no! I shared my razors and hair brushes and combs with my daughter(s)! She(they) might die because of me!"
If you are in a risk group for HIV or Hepatitis C, start NOW with these recommended household rules to protect other adults and, especially, your children -
1. Do not share personal grooming items, such as, nail clippers, combs, brushes, toothbrushes or razors.
To help keep personal items sorted in the bathroom and dressing areas, give each person their own basket, drawer or plastic container. This will keep everyone's toiletries separate and reduce the chances of someone grabbing the wrong razor, etc.
2. Keep disposable gloves in your first aid kit. If at all possible an infected person should wash and care for their own cuts and scratches. If they are too injured to do so or if the problem area is in a place they cannot reach, another person should assist them wearing the gloves.
Gloves like are used in hospitals can be purchased at most drugstores.
3. Keep plenty of bandages available in your first aid kit. An infected person should keep all cuts and scratches completely covered until healing is complete.
4. In the case of bloody clothing or linens, wash and dry them separately from other laundry.
5. In the case of blood spills on furnishings or floors, wear gloves to wash the area with chlorine bleach and dry the area with disposable paper towels. Wrap the paper towels in plastic and dispose of promptly. Viruses do not live long in dry areas, especially if they are well lit.
6. If the infected person is a menstruating woman, small plastic bags to individually dispose of used sanitary products should be available in the bathroom. Each used bag should be disposed of out of the home as soon as possible.
7. When there is more than one person in the home who uses "sharps," I recommend each person having their own biohazard container for used sharps. This is a precaution in case of an accident, like the infected person drops a needle in upside down and sticking out a little and the next person puts their hand on it when dropping something into the container.
9. An infected person with a cold or flu should have their own plastic lined trash can for tissues, thermometer covers, etc. This is a precaution for two reasons. One is the sick person might have a minor nose bleed with a bad cold or a fever blister, etc. If their used products are in the community trash can, someone else may touch them when disposing of other garbage.
10. Don't do "home piercings" of any kind. And when getting tattoos or piercing, seek out a business that does not re-use needles! If you do use a straight pin or sewing needle to get out a splinter, throw the pin or needle away after use. Pins and needles are inexpensive compared to the cost of medical treatment or a life. (And don't forget about the gloves.)
FINAL WORDS: Most of these ideas are part of basic cleanliness and good hygiene. They are also good to help a family not spread more common viruses, like colds or flu. And get tested if you are in a risk group for a blood-born virus.
Good health to all of you!
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
petsnpeople
|
|
Member: Kathryn Morse
Location: Mississippi, USA
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 11 members
About Me:
I am a 40-something single mom of a college student.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.