Caring for residents with HIV infection

1
HIV/AIDS in older adults

• Caring for residents with HIV infection

2
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
  dont think they are at risk)

3
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
CAUSES AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome
4
Are you more likely to get infected with HIV

• 1) at work, caring for a resident with AIDS?
• OR
• after work in your personal life?
• (Answer next slide)

5
Are you more likely to get infected with HIV

• after you leave work.
• Why?

6
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)

7
HIV Is Not Spread By

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

8
HIV infection IS spread

• 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)

9
Remember!

• Not all residents are tested
• Therefore, any resident could be infected with
  HIV
• Thats why we use standard precautions to protect
  ourselves

10
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

11
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