Contenido:

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES

AIDS

AIDS means Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome. It is a contagious illness that destroys the natural defences of the body against other infections. The illness is caused by the HIV virus which is found in the blood, vaginal fluid and semen of the infected person and which is also, although in lesser quantities, found in saliva, urine, tears, and breast milk.

Most people infected by HIV also contract AIDS, but the period of time between infection and the appearance of AIDS varies from one person to another. Some people with HIV appear and feel healthy for a period of up to 10 years.

Catching HIV

Anyone with HIV can transmit the virus to any other person by the exchange of bodily fluids, such as semen, vaginal liquids, blood or breast milk. There are three main methods of transmitting HIV from one person to another:

• Through anal or vaginal intercourse with a person who has HIV. Some forms of sexual relations present a greater risk than others for the transmission of HIV from an infected person to a non-infected person; For instance, the risk is greater in the case of unprotected anal intercourse with penetration than unprotected vaginal intercourse with penetration. Oral sex is less dangerous than anal or vaginal intercourse, but not absolutely safe.
• By inoculation with blood infected with HIV, by sharing syringes with some drug addicts, or by blood transfusion in a country where blood is not analysed to verify if it is infected with HIV. By sharing toothbrushes and razors, as these could be contaminated by infected blood, although the risk is smaller.
• By a mother infected with HIV to her child before, during, or after childbirth, or as a result of breast feeding.

How you DO NOT to catch HIV

• Through daily human contact such as touching, shaking hands, hugging, friendly kissing, from a toilet seat or by sharing cups, cutlery, crockery or books.
• By sharing bedclothes, the cabin or workplace, or by sharing food. Towels cannot transmit HIV, though it can be transmitted through skin infections such as herpes.
• By coughing or sneezing, as HIV cannot be transmitted through the air.
• Through mosquito bites or other insects, or by contact with dogs, cats and other domestic animals.

Prevention

1. Safer sexual relations:
   
   
   • The more people you have unprotected sexual relations with, the more possibilities you have of meeting someone who has HIV who could transmit it to you, and of catching other illnesses contracted through sexual contact, such as gonorrhoea, herpes and hepatitis B, which you in turn could transmit to others. It is easier to infect a partner with HIV if the partner already has a sexually-transmitted disease which is not HIV.
   • Use condoms to protect both yourself and your partner.
   
   
2. Drugs, HIV and AIDS:
   
   
   • Never inject yourself drugs.
   • If you know someone who does, advise him to always use sterile utensils (syringes, needles, etc.), and never share these utensils with anyone else, no matter how healthy they appear to be nor how well gyou know them. Dispose of needles and syringes in an appropriate place.
   
   
3. Blood, HIV and AIDS:
   
   
   • Currently, all blood used for transfusions in Spain is examined to verify that it does not contain HIV.
   • In Spain and in developed countries it is not possible to catch HIV by donating blood, as all utensils are sterilized and only used once.
   • In some countries the blood used in transfusions is not examined. If you are abroad and need a transfusion, it may be possible for the doctor treating you to find examined blood. Avoid operations and dental treatment if they are not urgent.
   • If you need an injection, make sure that the person administering it uses a sterile needle. The medicine kits of a ship contain disposable needles, syringes, suture materials, etc. You should take these on land to receive medical attention should you have any doubt.
   
   
   
4. First aid, HIV and AIDS:
   
   
   • Avoid contact with blood and other bodily fluids. Put on gloves before administering first aid and cleaning blood and other bodily fluids. Wash or wipe gloves before taking them off and take them off so that they end up inside out, placing them afterwards in a plastic bag. Wash your hands and other parts of the body immediately if they come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids, as well as after taking off the gloves.
   • Make sure you do not cut yourself while examining an injury or when taking off the dressing of a wound. Be careful when handling needles, scissors, or other sharp or cutting instruments. If they are disposable, save these items in a well designated resistant container. Throw the container away in the port, following the port authorities' established procedures. DO NOT throw it overboard!.
   • What to do in case of an accident: If blood is flowing freely from the injury, do not suck it. Wash the area with soap and water (if it is the eyes that are affected, wash them with plenty of water). Do not forget to report all accidents and ask for appropriate medical advice.
   • If there is profuse bleeding, wash copiously with plenty of household bleach solution diluted with water in a 1-10 ratio and dry with a disposable towel. Put on rubber gloves. If the blood has stained any clothing, pick it up with rubber gloves and soak it in cold water before washing it in the hot water cycle of a washing machine.
   • Mouth to mouth resuscitation: There is no proof that there is any risk of catching HIV through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and, therefore, we should not hesitate to perform this kind of assistance. If there is blood in the mouth it will need to be cleaned away before starting the resuscitation. This is done by placing a clean handkerchief over the injured person's mouth.