Can a dentist spread HIV? We still believe that you can catch HIV at the dentist and by shaking hands

It's not just sharp instruments and painful procedures that cause fear of the dentist's office. Many patients skip the mandatory visit every six months, and sometimes even delay treatment, for fear of contracting dangerous viruses and infections in dentistry. After all, it is impossible to know for sure how carefully sanitary standards are observed in the premises with such a dense flow of visitors.

What infections really threaten in the dental office?

Indeed, the specificity of medical procedures and the vulnerability of the examination site expose the patient’s health to a certain risk. The fact is that many diseases are transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person, and poorly processed instruments can be their carriers. What diseases can be removed from the dentist's office?

HIV AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) suppress or completely deprive the human body of natural immunity. Because of this, any disease becomes potentially life-threatening. There are many myths around this virus, so an infected person may not know about his HIV-positive status for a long time.

To date, more than 824,000 people living with this virus have been registered in Russia.

According to Vladimir Sadovsky, President of the Russian Dental Association, in modern dentistry it is impossible to become infected with HIV due to the careful treatment of all instruments, the chair and the room as a whole.

However, there is still a small chance of infection through objects that injure the mucous membranes, and there are plenty of them in the dentist’s office.

Hepatitis B

This is a viral disease, mainly transmitted through blood. It affects the liver and can be fatal very quickly if left untreated. Among the entire population of the Earth, about 350 million people are infected with hepatitis B. Up to 1 million patients die annually.

Just like HIV, the virus enters the human body through a damaged area on the skin or mucous membrane, it is picked up by the blood and carried to the liver, where it continues to develop. An infected person can live with hepatitis B for a long time without showing any symptoms.

You can become infected with hepatitis B in the dentist's office, although the likelihood is very small. Poorly processed equipment and gloves that the doctor forgot to change pose a danger, as blood from the previous patient may remain on them.

Hepatitis C

The most dangerous type of hepatitis due to the lack of a vaccine. Hepatitis C may not show symptoms from the moment of infection for up to six months, which means that the patient becomes a carrier of the disease, unaware of his status. Leads to serious pathologies of the body, such as cancer or cirrhosis of the liver. Transmitted through blood.

At a dentist's appointment, you can become infected in the ways described above.

Tuberculosis

A disease occurring in the lungs and caused by the microbe Koch's bacillus. Along with the lungs, it affects the intestines and bones with joints. The period when tuberculosis can be quickly treated, occurs without symptoms and is very difficult to detect on your own.

Fortunately, an infected person is unlikely to be able to infect their loved ones during this time - a person with a healthy body and strong immunity has little chance of contracting tuberculosis after contact with a sick person. The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets, penetrating into the lungs. Tuberculosis kills up to 3 million people a year.

How can you become infected with tuberculosis in a dental clinic? Spit cups can be a source of infection if they have not been replaced after a previous use. By bending over them, a person can inhale germs. Koch's bacillus is resistant to environmental influences and can “live” for a long time outside the human body.

Herpes

An extremely common viral disease. In total, there are 8 types of the disease, but the most common form is in the form of inflamed skin lesions on the lips and mucous membranes. It is transmitted through direct contact with a patient, but the virus itself can exist outside the human body for up to a day (at room temperature).

Once again, the danger lies in oral appliances. Since most people infected with herpes are located in the lips or throat, the virus can easily get on the instrument.

Other

As in other public places, in a dental clinic you can become infected with influenza, diphtheria, scarlet fever, since these viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets. But, most likely, this will happen in line in front of the office than in the office itself.

Prevention of infections in dentistry

Doctor's personal protection

Contacting the mucous membranes and blood of dozens of people a day, the doctor exposes himself and the medical staff to the risk of infection if he does not follow a list of simple rules. Laziness or negligence can lead to the spread of dangerous diseases both among patients and among employees of a medical institution. Therefore, the main key to preventing the above diseases in the dentist’s office is a responsible attitude to work.

In order to avoid an epidemic of immunodeficiency and other viruses in hospitals and clinics, every health care worker is required to follow the requirements of the following acts:

  • Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On the fundamentals of protecting the health of citizens in the Russian Federation” dated November 21, 2011 No. 323-FZ;
  • Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population” dated March 30, 1999 No. 52-FZ;
  • SanPiN 2.1.3.2630-10 “Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for organizations engaged in medical activities”;
  • SanPiN 2.1.7.2790-10 “Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for the management of medical waste”;
  • SanPin 3.1.1.2341-08 “Prevention of viral hepatitis B”;
  • SanPin 3.1.958-00 “Prevention of viral hepatitis. General provisions for epidemiological surveillance of viral hepatitis";
  • SanPin 3.5.1378-03 “Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for the organization and implementation of disinfection activities”;
  • SanPin 3.1.5.2826-10 “Prevention of HIV infection.”

From these follow the following generally binding rules for all health workers:

  1. Infected blood should never come into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth area. This is one of the reasons why the dentist must wear a mask, glasses, gloves, and medical uniform during an examination;
  2. During the break between doses, it is necessary to remove the gloves with the outer side inward. Never reuse the same gloves;
  3. If blood or saliva gets on the skin, the area is sterilized with 70% alcohol;
  4. If the skin is damaged by a piercing object, immediately remove and throw away gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and treat them with 70% alcohol;
  5. If the patient's blood gets on the doctor's work clothes, they must be removed and disinfected in a solution or in a special disinfectant tank;
  6. In the event of such an emergency, the doctor must administer antiviral medications within 72 hours.

Patient protection

To avoid infection of the patient, the following rules must be followed:

  1. Strict adherence to sterilization and replacement protocols (above);
  2. All disposable tools must be used strictly once and then thrown away;
  3. Reusable instruments must be thoroughly disinfected by immersing them in a special solution or tank;
  4. Be careful when working with a scalpel, scissors, forceps and other sharp objects.

What to look for when visiting the dentist

The visitor himself can monitor compliance with all sanitary standards. For example, disposable devices are often unpacked after the patient enters the office. The spittoons must be clean. Towels – disposable or removed from the autoclave.

As a rule, the dentist first asks about complaints and only then approaches the chair. At this time, he must wear a new mask and gloves. If the doctor was already wearing gloves or touched a pen, medical card, or other surfaces and objects while wearing them, you can ask them to change the gloves.

A good dentist, respecting concern for his health, will not refuse to change his gloves.

What to do if you suspect an infection

At the slightest suspicion of infection, you should immediately consult a doctor and take all the tests prescribed by him. It is vigilance and attention to the body’s signals that can save lives, since many diseases can be defeated at the initial stage.

Despite progress in medicine, a remedy has not yet been found that will be effective in the fight against the immunodeficiency virus. So the disease remains incurable. And this scares a lot of people. The only way to protect against HIV remains to prevent infection. Many people are still not familiar with the information that describes how the virus is transmitted. Their knowledge is based only on unverified rumors and their own guesses. All this only increases the fear of infection. So today the question is very relevant: “Is it possible to become infected with HIV at the dentist?” The norms for sanitary processing of instruments will be discussed in this article.

Briefly about HIV infection

Today, every person knows that how This disease is characterized by the fact that the smallest microorganisms cause disruptions in the protective functions of the body in people. The action of the virus can be described as follows. Once in the body, it affects the immune system, destroying cells responsible for protecting against infections and destroying microbes.

Over time, a person becomes unable to resist either external infections or bacteria or fungi. The virus multiplies only inside a person. Outside the body it dies. The duration of life outside the body is influenced by temperature and humidity. The virus dies when heated (over 56 degrees Celsius). Sterilization of dental instruments completely destroys HIV, because it is designed for more tenacious viruses and bacteria.

Routes of transmission of the virus

The greatest likelihood of HIV transmission is from a person who is at the end of the incubation period, at the time of initial manifestation and at a late stage of the disease. The infection in question is classified as a long-term illness. The virus thrives in all human biological fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, saliva, tears, sweat, etc.). It is worth noting that the virus is contained in these biological fluids in different concentrations. This determines the difference in their epidemiological significance.

Human biological substrates that are most likely to transmit infection include:

  • blood;
  • breast milk;
  • vaginal discharge;
  • sperm and pre-cum.

It is worth noting that HIV infection is caused by pathogens entering the internal environment of the body. We are interested in the question: “Is it possible to become infected with HIV at the dentist?” Therefore, we will consider the only possible method of transmission of infection - through blood.

HIV prevention in dentistry

It is no secret that cases of infection of patients in medical institutions, manicure salons and other establishments have been recorded. The risk group includes all facilities where services involving surgical or cosmetic procedures are expected to be provided.

They are no exception. A huge number of people visit their offices every day. It is for this reason that it is especially important to comply with all sanitary standards and sterilize dental instruments. Today, every clinic has a plan of preventive measures. By fulfilling all the requirements, both the private dentist and the doctor at the public hospital protect themselves and the patients in their office from infection.

Possible causes and features of infection in the dental office

We are interested in the likelihood and routes of infection of dental patients. Can you get infected with HIV at the dentist? Theoretically yes. In a medical facility, you can become infected with a single exposure of virus particles to the blood. For example, this can happen during the removal of a dental unit with an insufficiently sterile instrument. Repeated fractional exposure (microinfection) can also lead to the development of the disease in the patient. As a rule, the body, having good resistance, is able to resist viruses. But the mucous membrane cannot always work as a barrier.

When a person is treated in a clinic that has its own sterilization station, there is no risk of infection. The security guarantee is almost one hundred percent. Modern dental clinics in Moscow are almost all equipped to the highest standard. The so-called human factor can only play a cruel joke here. A negligent attitude towards preventing infection of any of the staff is possible. Therefore, the choice of a doctor should be approached with all responsibility.

How do dental clinics in Moscow carry out sterilization?

The virus in question is sensitive to high temperature. Boiling kills it very quickly (60 seconds). The virus is not able to withstand the effects of disinfectants (hydrogen peroxide, chloramine solution, alcohol, ether and acetone).

In order to prevent infection, specialists at a modern clinic always follow sanitary rules. Dental instruments go through several stages of cleaning:

  • disinfection;
  • Preliminary processing;
  • sterilization.

In addition to these manipulations, a procedure is carried out to detect hidden blood on the instrument. The quality of sterilization is also controlled.

Dentistry has long practiced the one-time use of the following devices and protective equipment:

  • saliva ejector;
  • injection needles;
  • dental aprons and aspirators;
  • gloves, masks.

There are several rules that will help you protect your trip to the dentist. For many patients, this event itself is stressful. And if they are also worried about the question: “Is it possible to become infected with HIV at the dentist?”, a trip to the doctor may not take place at all. We offer several ways to kill two birds with one stone.

First of all, it will work AND it will distract the patient from his fear of dental instruments.

Secondly, a person will feel much calmer when he can control the issue of his own safety.

You must make sure that the doctor has opened the packaging of instruments intended for single use before your eyes.

Before the procedure, you can pay attention to the condition of the instruments, as well as the cleanliness of the room.

Correct actions in unusual situations are the key to safety. For example, anesthesia was administered at the dentist, after which the doctor accidentally pricked himself with a needle. What to do? The specialist should use the Anti-AIDS first aid kit, and not just change gloves and continue treatment.

Providing dental care to HIV-infected people

Federal law states that preventing the spread of diseases caused by the immunodeficiency virus in the Russian Federation also involves providing medical care. It is agreed to reduce contact with the patient to a minimum. The doctor is obliged to maintain medical confidentiality. The law provides for disinfection measures. In connection with them, the advisability of placing sick patients in separate rooms was noted. At the same time, they must be equipped with the necessary equipment. For preventive purposes, it is recommended to carry out all therapeutic procedures last (after healthy patients).

Patients with HIV infection can receive full dental care provided that the prescribed safety measures are followed. In turn, people with HIV infection must notify staff of their status.

What to do if you suspect an infection?

In general, experts recommend that all adults periodically get tested for HIV. This can be done using rapid tests, which are sold in pharmacies. The patient will receive more reliable information in specialized rooms. You just need to donate blood and wait for the result.

Unfortunately, early diagnosis is complicated by the fact that the initial symptoms also occur with other ailments. However, you should be wary of unmotivated fatigue, increased sweating at night, and headaches. At the same time, high body temperature and prolonged diarrhea may persist. Symptoms of infection include:

  • weight loss;
  • furunculosis;
  • enlarged lymph nodes.

HIV can be suspected if the following diseases are diagnosed:

  • pneumonia (Pneumocystis);
  • Kaposi's sarcoma;
  • brain toxoplasmosis;
  • herpes zoster.

Instead of a conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to add that in the field of medicine and dentistry in particular, algorithms have long been developed that make it possible to provide the population with the most safe and reliable treatment. If all preventive and protective measures are followed, the likelihood of HIV infection in the dentist's office is minimal. All this is due to the responsible approach of the doctor and the clinic management to their work and attentive attitude to even the most insignificant details. The responsibility for choosing a clinic and specialist falls on the shoulders of patients. A private dentist will conduct the appointment or a doctor on duty - this decision is yours. It must be remembered that you always have the right to refuse to carry out manipulations if any of the doctor’s actions do not inspire confidence in you.

Despite progress in medicine, a remedy has not yet been found that will be effective in the fight against the immunodeficiency virus. So the disease remains incurable. And this scares a lot of people. The only way to protect against HIV remains to prevent infection. Many people are still not familiar with the information that describes how the virus is transmitted. Their knowledge is based only on unverified rumors and their own guesses. All this only increases the fear of infection. So today the question is very relevant: “Is it possible to become infected with HIV at the dentist?” Methods of transmission of infection and standards for sanitizing instruments will be discussed in this article.

Briefly about HIV infection

Today, every person knows that the abbreviation HIV stands for “human immunodeficiency virus.” This disease is characterized by the fact that small microorganisms cause disruptions in the protective functions of the body in people. The action of the virus can be described as follows. Once in the body, it affects the immune system, destroying cells responsible for protecting against infections and destroying microbes. Over time, a person becomes unable to resist external infections, either bacteria or fungi. The virus multiplies only inside a person. Outside the body it dies. The duration of life outside the body is influenced by temperature and humidity. The virus dies when heated (over 56 degrees Celsius). Sterilization of dental instruments completely destroys HIV, because it is designed for more tenacious viruses and bacteria.

Routes of transmission of the virus

The greatest likelihood of HIV transmission is from a person who is at the end of the incubation period, at the time of primary manifestation and at a late stage of the disease. The infection is considered to be a long-term illness. The virus thrives in all human biological fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, saliva, tears, sweat, etc.). It is worth noting that the virus is contained in these biological fluids in different concentrations. This determines the difference in their epidemiological significance. Human biological substrates that have the greatest likelihood of transmitting infection include:

  • blood;
  • breast milk;
  • vaginal discharge;
  • sperm and pre-cum.
  • It is worth noting that HIV infection is caused by pathogens entering the internal environment of the body. We are interested in the question: “Is it possible to become infected with HIV at the dentist?” Therefore, we will consider the only possible method of transmission of infection through blood.

    HIV prevention in dentistry

    It is no secret that cases of infection of patients in medical institutions, manicure salons and other establishments have been recorded. The risk group includes all facilities where services involving surgical or cosmetic procedures are expected to be provided. Dental clinics are no exception. A huge number of people visit their offices every day. It is for this reason that it is especially important to comply with all sanitary standards and sterilize dental instruments. Today, every clinic has a preventive action plan. By fulfilling all the requirements, both a private dentist and a public hospital doctor protect themselves and the patients of their office from infection.

    Possible causes and features of infection in the dental office

    We are interested in the likelihood and routes of infection of dental patients. Can you get infected with HIV at the dentist? Theoretically yes. In a medical facility, you can become infected with a single exposure of virus particles to the blood. For example, this can happen during tooth extraction with an insufficiently sterile instrument. Repeated fractional hits (microinfection) can also lead to the development of the disease in the patient. As a rule, the body, having good resistance, is able to resist viruses. But the mucous membrane cannot always work as a barrier. When a person is treated in a clinic that has its own sterilization station, there is no risk of infection. The security guarantee is almost one hundred percent. Modern dental clinics in Moscow are almost all equipped to the highest standard. The so-called human factor can only play a cruel joke here. A negligent attitude towards preventing infection of any of the staff is possible. Therefore, the choice of a doctor must be approached with all responsibility.

    How do dental clinics in Moscow carry out sterilization?

    The virus in question is sensitive to high temperature. Boiling kills it very quickly (60 seconds). The virus is not able to withstand the effects of disinfectants (hydrogen peroxide, chloramine solution, alcohol, ether and acetone). In order to prevent infection, specialists at a modern clinic always follow sanitary rules. Dental instruments go through several stages of cleaning:

  • disinfection;
  • Preliminary processing;
  • sterilization.
  • In addition to these manipulations, a procedure is carried out to detect hidden blood on the instrument. The quality of sterilization is also controlled. Dentistry has long practiced the one-time use of such devices and protective equipment:

  • saliva ejector;
  • injection needles;
  • dental aprons and aspirators;
  • gloves, masks.
  • There are several rules that will help you protect your trip to the dentist. For many patients, this event itself is stressful. And if they are also worried about the question: “Is it possible to become infected with HIV at the dentist?”, a trip to the doctor may not take place at all. We offer several ways to kill two birds with one stone.
    Firstly, switching attention will work. And this will turn the patient away from the fear of dental instruments. Secondly, a person will feel much calmer when he can control his own security issues. You must make sure that the doctor opens the packaging of instruments intended for single use before your eyes. Before the procedure, you can pay attention to the condition of the instruments, as well as the cleanliness of the room. Correct actions in unusual situations are the key to safety. For example, anesthesia was administered at the dentist, after which the doctor accidentally pricked herself with a needle. What to do? The specialist should use the Anti-AIDS first aid kit, and not just change gloves and continue treatment.

    Providing dental care to HIV-infected people

    Federal law states that preventing the spread of diseases caused by the immunodeficiency virus in the Russian Federation also includes providing medical care. The reduction of contacts with the patient to a minimum is due. The doctor is obliged to maintain medical confidentiality. The law provides for disinfection measures. In connection with them, the advisability of placing sick patients in separate rooms was noted. At the same time, they must be equipped with the necessary equipment. For preventive purposes, it is recommended to carry out all therapeutic procedures last (after healthy patients). Patients with HIV infection can receive full dental care provided that the prescribed safety measures are followed. In turn, people with HIV infection must notify staff of their status.

    What to do if you suspect an infection?

    In general, experts recommend that all adults periodically get tested for HIV. This can be done using rapid tests, which are sold in pharmacies. The patient will receive more reliable information in specialized rooms. You just need to donate blood and wait for the result. Unfortunately, early diagnosis of HIV infection is complicated by the fact that the initial symptoms also occur with other ailments. However, you should be wary of unmotivated fatigue, increased sweating at night, and headaches. At the same time, high body temperature and prolonged diarrhea may persist. Symptoms of infection include:

  • weight loss;
  • furunculosis;
  • enlarged lymph nodes.
  • HIV can be suspected if the following diseases are diagnosed:

  • pneumonia (Pneumocystis);
  • Kaposi's sarcoma;
  • brain toxoplasmosis;
  • herpes zoster.
  • Instead of a conclusion

    In conclusion, I would like to add that in the field of medicine and dentistry in particular, algorithms have long been developed that make it possible to provide the population with the most safe and reliable treatment. If all preventive and protective measures are followed, the likelihood of HIV infection in the dentist's office is minimal. All this is due to the responsible approach of the doctor and the clinic management to their work and attentive attitude to even the most insignificant details. The responsibility for choosing a clinic and specialist falls on the shoulders of patients. A private dentist will conduct the appointment or a doctor on duty - this decision is yours. It must be remembered that you always have the right to refuse to perform manipulations if any of the doctor’s actions do not inspire confidence in you.

    Date of publication: 05/22/17

    HIV is a dangerous disease that is transmitted through biological fluids, including blood. This means that dental health workers are at risk of infection. In recent years, the frequency of transmission of the virus among medical personnel has increased by 1.5 times, so the issue of preventing occupational HIV infection is especially acute. Medical institutions provide assistance to all those in need, including HIV-infected people. To work with this group of people, a set of rules for preventing HIV infection among health workers has been developed, as well as an algorithm for action in emergency situations.

    The biological safety of the patient is ensured by an identical set of preventive measures. Although in theory there is a risk of contracting this disease, public health can guarantee complete protection. This became possible due to compliance with personal preventive measures and sterilization of instruments used in dentistry. Safety and prevention of HIV infection and other blood-borne diseases is one of the main conditions for the work of doctors and medical personnel.

    The dentist's office is always sterile and inspires trust. How justified is it to blindly trust doctors? Probably as much as you trust the bread seller. It can poison you, but it doesn’t poison you... So can a doctor, but it’s not in his interests to infect you, you are either an object for him to train or earn money...

    HIV is an anthroponotic disease. This means that the disease spreads only among people, and the source of infection becomes an infected person. Among the dangers are persons in whom it occurs in a latent form, without the manifestation of clinical signs. Since the disease is infectious, treatment measures are carried out simultaneously with measures to prevent its spread among the population, including in medical institutions.

    Transmission of the virus occurs when it enters the blood, and in the body of an infected person it is found in all biological fluids. You can become infected with HIV in several ways:

    • during sexual intercourse;
    • when using reusable syringes, scalpels and other instruments without proper disinfection;
    • when mucous membranes are injured or biological fluids of an infected person come into contact with open skin lesions;
    • vertical transmission route - from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.

    Important! One of the features of the development of the disease is the long incubation period, which lasts from the moment the virus enters the blood until the appearance of the first symptoms.

    If the patient is sick


    The cute girl in the dentist's office may well be infected with HIV. And in this office they don’t ask her for a certificate stating that she is sick, she came in with a dental problem

    Dentists are at high risk of HIV infection every day. Patients are required to report their diagnosis, if known, and whether they are taking antiretroviral drugs. The difficulty is that it is impossible to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis for each patient, and the disease can occur in a latent form. A doctor can become infected during any operations with blood and serum, especially if there is even minor damage to the skin of the hands.

    According to the instructions, the doctor must work in protective gloves and use only sterile instruments. However, some situations put his health at risk:

    • providing first aid in emergencies;
    • contact with blood in the presence of minor damage to the material of protective gloves;
    • contact of biological fluids with the doctor’s skin during various manipulations;
    • accidental puncture of the skin of a healthcare worker after an intramuscular injection or intravenous administration of a drug to an infected patient.

    Treatment for HIV involves several stages and precautions and precautions. Antiretroviral therapy is the main step. It is long-term and is carried out by several specific means simultaneously. While antiretroviral drugs work, the likelihood of infection decreases slightly, but the risk remains. The effectiveness of treatment of the disease depends on the timely diagnosis.

    If a healthcare worker is sick


    Doctors will take care of you...

    All healthcare employees undergo mandatory examinations. Despite the fact that formally doctors with HIV infection are not prohibited from working, in practice such cases are extremely rare. Medical staff and personnel with AIDS with a zero viral load do not pose a danger to patients, and the likelihood of infection tends to zero.

    When carrying out work, it is necessary to perform certain safety measures after each patient. You should also take precautions during dental treatment:

    • use durable protective gloves when handling cutting tools;
    • disinfect instruments and work surfaces after each patient;
    • carry out room treatment (quartz treatment) according to schedule;
    • If a doctor or patient is possibly infected, promptly diagnose and prescribe antiretroviral drugs.

    If a healthcare worker is infected with HIV, he can continue to work in dentistry. If safety measures are followed, there is no chance of transmitting the virus to patients. The risk of infection is much higher when using insufficiently sterile equipment for a large number of patients. For this reason, the main goal remains the prevention of occupational HIV infection of health care workers and possible infection of patients.

    What to do when you are diagnosed with HIV

    An HIV emergency is an emergency that must be reported to management in writing. A report on an industrial accident is drawn up, a study is carried out with the study of all necessary materials, medical histories and records in hospital logs. This disease is more dangerous compared to many other infectious diseases that are transmitted by blood.

    Even if the rules for preventing hospital-acquired HIV infection are followed, transmission of this infection is possible. If infection occurs during dental treatment, the situation will be formalized and subject to further investigation. It is carried out as follows:

    • assessing the correct disinfection of all surfaces and instruments;
    • studying materials, entries in the patient registration log, medical history of patients and doctors;
    • availability of test systems for diagnosing HIV and other diseases in the doctor’s office;
    • drawing up documents on the provision of protective clothing to the victim;
    • study of photo and video materials;
    • other materials are at the discretion of the commission.

    Prevention of nosocomial HIV infection is a set of mandatory measures. If a doctor or patient, while following preventive measures, becomes infected with the immunodeficiency virus, a special commission is obliged to conduct an investigation. It is important to establish that transmission of the virus occurred precisely at the time of medical care, and not earlier. Treatment of an infected person occurs according to the standard regimen, with antiretroviral and other drugs.

    If infection occurs

    Prevention of HIV infection in medicine among medical workers and patients is a top priority. Precautionary measures aimed at minimizing the risk of accidents at work are followed without exception. If a doctor or patient is infected in a hospital or dental office, an investigation is ordered. Regardless of its results, those infected receive treatment according to an individual scheme.

    To prevent further spread of the virus, a number of measures are being taken:

    • if it is necessary to perform work, all damage to the doctor’s skin is sealed with a band-aid;
    • manipulations are carried out in disposable gloves treated with alcohol solutions of antiseptics;
    • damaged skin is treated with alcohol and iodine solution;
    • if blood or other liquids come into contact with intact skin, use alcohol;
    • if biological fluids get on the mucous membranes, they are washed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

    Reference! If disposable gloves are damaged, the doctor must replace them with new ones and treat them with alcohol or an alcohol-based skin antiseptic. In emergency situations, while the doctor is preparing, the assistant continues to work.

    Prevention of HIV infections in medical institutions including outpatient clinics and hospitals


    Sterilization of equipment is the basis for the prevention of all viral diseases, including HIV

    To prevent infection in health care facilities, preventive measures must be performed daily. They are necessary for the safety of both patients and healthcare workers. Hospital management is responsible for the availability of all disinfectants and protective equipment, and staff are responsible for their correct use.

    Measures to prevent HIV infection in medical institutions are prescribed in the job description:

    • in daily work, the doctor uses protective clothing, gloves, goggles, masks;
    • Before use, instruments are disinfected in special devices;
    • disposable syringes are not suitable for subsequent use - they are placed in containers with a disinfectant solution and sent for disposal;
    • used instruments are disinfected and then either reused or recycled (special companies for processing plastic and other materials do this);
    • It is important to treat work surfaces after working with biological fluids;
    • during procedures, the doctor must have first aid equipment and materials for hand treatment;
    • work surfaces are not intended for filling out documentation, drinking water and eating.

    Prevention of occupational infection is the responsibility of the management and staff of medical institutions. Following safety precautions can prevent the spread of the virus. Creating emergency situations that could result in infection is considered intentional harm to human health. To prevent such cases, instructions are provided to medical staff and the public, as well as provision of the necessary personal protective equipment. The doctor, in turn, is responsible for the sterility of the instrument.

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