This document discusses universal precautions for infection control when caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). It outlines objectives of preventing self-infection, caregiver to PLHIV infection, and PLHIV to caregiver or partner infection. It discusses the importance of hygiene, use of gloves, sharps disposal, waste management, and making chlorine solutions to disinfect surfaces and materials. Proper handwashing, use of gloves, safe disposal of wastes and sharps, and environmental cleaning are key to preventing transmission of infections.

1. Universal Precautions for
Infection Control
Presented by
Dr. M. MUNAWAR KHAN
BCC Coordinator
Sindh AIDS Control Program

2. Standard Precautions for Infection Control
Objectives
• Preventing self-infection
• Preventing PLHIV-to-caregiver infection and
preventing PLHIV-to-sexual partner infection
• Preventing caregiver-to-PLHIV infection

3. Self-infection
• In this mode of infection, the PLHIV passes on
germs from one part of the body to another,
such as by touching a wound, not washing
hands after using the toilet, or scratching and
breaching the skin, leading to a skin infection.

4. Caregiver-to-PLHIV infection
• The PLHIV has lowered immunity as a result of the HIV
infection and is therefore prone to infections.
• Caregivers need to ensure hygienic preparation of food and
water consumed by the individual they care for, including
regular hand washing.
• If the caregiver is sick, it is safer to have another care
provider to take care of the PLHIV during the period of illness.
• Common infectious diseases include the following:
• Common cold or flu
• Diarrhoea
• Skin conditions such as scabies
• Chest infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis
• Fungal infections, especially those affecting the skin

5. PLHIV-to-caregiver infection
This can be a very painful situation when a caregiver is
infected HIV virus or other infections in the process of caring
for the PLHIV. It can :
• Acquiring chest infections such as tuberculosis while caring
for the PLHIV
• Scabies in household sheets and clothing
• Not using gloves or other available plastic waterproof
material while handling blood and other body fluids
and open, uncovered cuts, wounds, or abrasions.

6. PLHIV-to-sexual partner(s) infection
• Being HIV-positive does not mean the person
is no longer capable or in need of sex. HIV
caregivers need to counsel sexually active
clients about safe sex practices

7. Hygiene
• Categories and promotion of hygiene:
• Hygiene is a very important factor in living
positively with HIV(PLHIV) and AIDS(PALWA)
and in keeping the immune system strong.

8. Personal hygiene
• Includes ways in which we keep our body clean and safe from
infection.
• Always wash hands before and after eating, after going to the
toilet, before and after preparing food.
• Bath regularly.
• Keep nails short and clean.
• Brush teeth, after meals and before bedtime.
• Keep clothes, bed sheets, and towels clean and dry.
• Wash hands immediately after handling soiled articles.
• Cover your mouth if you have to sneeze.
• Wear a mask if you have TB, which is still contagious.

9. Food/water hygiene
Many infections are borne through contaminated
food and water. To prevent this:
• Use safe, clean water
• If the water is not from a protected source, it should
be boiled for 10 minutes before drinking
• Care must be taken during collection and
storage, and to use clean containers to prevent
contamination.
• Never eat raw eggs or meat, and never drink un-
pasteurized milk.
Cont.........

10. • Only eat raw foods when they have been well-
washed or peeled (fruits and vegetables).
• Cover foods and beverages to protect them from flies
and dust.
• Keep uncooked food and juices from coming into
contact with other foods.
• If possible, use a plastic cutting board rather than a
wooden one, because a plastic board is easier to
clean.
• Keep waste in a covered bin (and empty it regularly)
• Germs multiply more quickly in warm food. Storing
food in a refrigerator or cool place slows down this
growth. Cooking on high heat can also kill most
germs.
• Serve food immediately after cooking to avoid germs
multiplying.

11. Environmental hygiene
• Using a latrine and keeping it clean
• Keeping the room where the client sleeps clean, and well ventilated
• Keeping surrounding areas free from bad odours and still water (still water
sitting is a breeding ground for mosquitoes)
• Keeping the house and surrounding area clean, swept, and neat
• Hanging clothing and linens in the sun
• Soiled materials/waste should be disposed of in a safe place (burnt or
buried)
• Always using household gloves when handling waste
• Soiled linen and body-fluid-stained linen should be cleaned using chlorine
solution

12. Universal Precautions

13. What are universal precautions
Under the “standard precaution”
principle, blood and body fluids from all
persons should be considered as infected
with HIV, Hepatitis B, C or other
infectious diseases, regardless of the
known or supposed status of the person.
Improving the safety of injections is an
important component of universal
precautions.

14. Importance of hand washing
• Research has shown that hand washing is the
most important way to reduce the spread of
infections in health care settings.
• Since hands are the most common vehicle for
transmitting infections, it is essential that all
staff who come in contact with clients
understand the importance of good hand
washing practices

15. Recomended practice
• Using soap and water, rub hands for at-least
15 seconds and then wash with running water
• Using alcohol-based hand rubs
(or antimicrobial soap) and water for routine
decontamination.

16. When should you wash your hands
• Always wash your hands.
• Immediately when you arrive at work
• Before examining each client
• After examining each client
• Before and after putting on gloves for clinical procedures (such as cleaning
a wound)
• After touching any instrument or object that might be contaminated with
blood or other body fluids, or after touching mucous membranes
• After you handle blood, urine, or other specimens
• After using the toilet or latrine
• Before leaving work
• Before preparing food
• Before eating food
• After handling waste materials (used gauze, soiled sheets)
• After coughing, blowing nose

17. How do gloves prevent infections
• Gloves protect service providers from coming
into contact with the potentially infectious
micro-organisms that can be found in
blood, other body fluids, and waste.
• Only clean gloves prevent infections in clients.
If the gloves used during an examination or
clinical procedures are not clean and free of
contamination, they can actually spread
infections to clients.

18. Who is at risk
• Staff
• Clients
• Community

19. The three kinds of gloves
• Surgical gloves
• Single-use examination (disposable) gloves
• Utility or heavy-duty household gloves

20. Handling and Disposal of Sharps
Recommendations for handling of the sharps
• Use syringe or needle once only.
• Avoid recapping, bending, or breaking
needles.
• Use puncture-proof container for disposal.
• Clearly label container—“SHARPS”.
• Never overfill or reuse sharps containers.
• Dispose of sharps according to local protocol.

21. Personal Protective Equipment
• Gloves—correct size
• Aprons—as a waterproof barrier.
• Eyewear—to avoid accidental splash
• Footwear—rubber boots or clean leather
shoes

22. Management
and disposal of
waste materials

23. Management and disposal of waste
materials
• Always use plastic bags to dispose of waste
materials other then sharps
• If there are sharp materials such as scissors
which need to be carried out of the
home, return them to the steel container
they are kept in and either takes them to the
health centre for sterilization, or, if that is
not possible, wash them and soak them in
bleach
Cont....

24. • Identify a place to dispose of waste
materials. It is best if this can be at
the health centre so the waste can
be disposed of through this system.
If not, then there is a need to dig a
pit on their property and burry the
waste there.

25. How to make a 0.5-percent chlorine
solution
• Liquid household bleach (Sodium
hypochlorite)
• Bleach powder: Chlorine compounds available
in powder form (calcium hypochlorite or
chlorinated lime)
• Chlorine-releasing tablets (Sodium
dichloroisocyanurate)

26. Advantages of chlorine
• oldest and most common antiseptic
compound
• powerful killer of micro-organisms
• not poisonous to the human being
• no poisonous residue
• time- and cost-effective