You can get organisms carried in blood that cause diseases such as hepatitis B virus
(HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from an infected victim's blood or other body
fluids if they enter your body. These organisms can enter through cuts or breaks in your
skin or through the lining of your mouth, nose, and eyes. When you give first aid,
take these precautions:
Wear latex gloves that you can throw away
whenever you touch a victim's body fluids, blood or objects of theirs that may be soiled
with blood. If latex gloves are not available, put some type of waterproof material, such
as a plastic bag, on top of the wound when you apply direct pressure. Or have the victim
apply pressure to the wound with his or her own hand, if possible.
Cover the victim's open wounds with
dressings, extra gauze or waterproof material.
Use a mouth-to-mouth barrier device when
you do rescue breathing. The victim could have blood in the mouth.
Wash your hands with soap and water right
away.
Report every incident in which you are
exposed to a victim's blood or other body fluids. Do this whether or not you use the
precautions listed above.
Before you give any medication to a victim:
Find out if the victim has medicine prescribed for him or her to take for the medical
condition at hand. An example of this is
nitroglycerin for a heart condition. Ask where
the victim keeps the medicine.
Ask the victim for permission to give him or her the medicine.
Find out if the victim is allergic to any medicine.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/21/99