First Aid and Universal Precautions

Universal precautions

The infection control precautions that need to be taken against HIV in any job or walk of life are the same as the usual proper standards of good infection control in that situation, known as ’universal precautions’.

HIV is known to have similar modes of transmission to hepatitis B but with one crucial difference – HIV is much less infectious than hepatitis B. Consequently, infection control procedures that protect against hepatitis B will also protect against HIV.

Universal precautions are the most effective way to ensure that the risk of HIV is minimised.

The concept of universal precautions centres on the practice of treating all body fluids as if they pose a definite risk of infection. When universal precautions are properly observed by first aiders, medical professionals or anyone else needing to deal with body fluids, they can be confident that their actions will protect themselves and others by minimising exposure to BBVs.

First Aid

There has been no known example of transmission of HIV as a result of giving or receiving first aid. The theoretical risk is very low in the context of ordinary good practice in delivering first aid.

Any theoretical risk from mouth to mouth to resuscitation is extremely low indeed. But resuscitation using mouthpieces may be more effective if you are trained in their use, and they are available. The only risk would be from infected blood. But this would have to get inside your own blood stream in order to infect you.

Existing standards of good practice are designed to protect both the giver and receiver of first aid from much more infectious germs than HIV.

As an untrained individual with little or no knowledge of first aid procedures may unwittingly expose themselves to infection, it is now common practice for at least one ’appointed person’ to train as a first aider within every workplace.

A wide variety of first aid training is available in Jersey from St John Ambulance. < http://www.sja.org.uk/sja>

Guidelines for disinfection in domestic and workplace settings

Wear rubber gloves.
Mop up large amounts of fluid with paper towels or cloths.
Seal these materials in a plastic bag for disposal.
Clean the area thoroughly with hot water and detergent, so all visible evidence is removed
Apply household bleach or sterilising disinfectant e.g. Milton Fluid or Maws Simple Sterilising Tablets diluted in four pints of water and leave for as long as possible.
Clothing and other fabrics can be disinfected in the washing machine by using a biological detergent on a hot wash of at least 70°.

Guidelines for dealing with blood

Remember to treat all blood with equal respect and never make assumptions; someone who is well known to you (E.g. a colleague, friend or relative) could have an undiagnosed BBV or have chosen to conceal a diagnosed infection.

Blood should be washed away and wounds cleaned with soap and water.
Blood on unbroken skin can be washed away with soap and water but cuts and wounds should be encouraged to bleed freely by squeezing or pressing before washing.
Blood splashed in the eyes should be rinsed thoroughly while the eye is open with tap water and a saline solution.
Blood in the mouth should be spat out first before rinsing and spitting several times.

It is always advisable to seek medical advice after any accident involving blood.