CARING SAFELY FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV or AIDS
Take care of Yourself | In the Kitchen | In the Bathroom & Laundry | Personal Care | Using Needles | Pets & Gardening
Giving safe care to people living with HIV or AIDS in the community is largely common sense. Everyday good hygiene will usually be enough. This information will help caregivers and HIV positive people understand how you can keep both the caregiver and the person in care from getting sick. The instructions are simple and will address the concerns that caregivers may have. The sections beginning with "Take Care..." highlights instructions that are most important for caring for someone living with HIV or AIDS.
This information was compiled by Canadian Public Health Association and Heath Canada. Copies of the booklet can be obtained from:
National AIDS Clearinghouse Canadian Public Health Association 400-1565 Carling Avenue Ottawa, ON K1Z 8R1 Tel: (613) 725-3769 Fax: (613) 725-9826
Staying healthy is one of the best ways to make sure you and the person you care for are both safe.
Stay away from the person you care for if you are sick. Germs from a cold or flu can harm someone with HIV or AIDS, so wear a mask if you have a cold or flu.
Rest, exercise and healthy eating are important for your health.
If you live with the person you care for, try to take time or yourself. A short break will help reduce burn-out and stress. If you can't leave him/her alone, find someone to fill in at home while you're out.
Clean kitchen counters with a clean cloth, household cleaners and rinse with fresh water. Wash dishes, pots, glasses and cutlery in warm, soapy water. Wash cutting boards with soap and hot water. Mop the floor at least once a week. Throw away the dirty water down the toilet. Wash up after handling garbage normally.
Take Care... to keep food safe. For more information on food safety, click here.
Germs that live in or on food can make you and the person you care for sick. It is important to prepare food carefully.
Wash your hands before preparing food.
Wash fruits and vegetables before you cook or eat them.
Cook or peel organic fruits or vegetables because they may have germs on the skins.
Use a separate spoon, only once, to taste the food. Use a different spoon for stirring.
Don't give a person with HIV or AIDS uncooked meat, fish or raw eggs.
Don't offer a person with HIV or AIDS un-pasteurized milk.
Serve hot foods while they are still hot, and cold foods while they are still cold.
Cover and refrigerate leftovers immediately.
Cleaning kills germs that may be dangerous to the person you care for and you.
Bathroom:
Clean tubs, showers and sinks with a clean cloth, household cleansers and rinse with fresh water.
Wet mop the floor at least once a week. Throw away the dirty water down the toilet.
Wear rubber work gloves when you clean the toilet. Use bleach right from the bottle.
Everyone should use their own towels, razors, washcloths and toothbrushes.
Laundry:
If you live with the person you care for, you can wash your clothes together. Use warm water and laundry soap.
Take care... when you see blood or vomit.
Vomit, diarrhea, blood and other body fluids stained with blood should be cleaned up right away. Clean floors and counters with 1 part bleach mixed in 9 parts water and wear rubber work gloves.
Blood, semen or vaginal fluid on clothes, towels or bedding can be soaked in cold water with a little bleach to remove stains. Ordinary soap and water will kill HIV.
Wet garbage such as diapers, bandages and menstrual pads should be put in two plastic bags to prevent leaks.
Hugging, shaking hands or giving a massage is always safe. Compassionate care includes lots of contact.
A healthy skin is a good barrier against infection. At the same time, skin can carry germs that can hurt the person you care for and you.
Wash your hands after you:
sneeze or cough
go to the toilet
touch your nose, mouth or genitals
handle garbage
clean the house
handle blood, semen, urine, vaginal fluids or feces.
How to wash your hands:
Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 15 seconds. Clean under fingernails and between fingers.
Take care... when you give personal care.
Wash your hands before and after you:
give personal care
wear gloves
change diapers, menstrual pads or bandages
You don't need to wear gloves all the time when you give personal care.
You should wear disposable latex gloves when you:
touch blood, open cuts, semen, vaginal fluid
have cuts, sores or rashes on your hands
You should wear rubber work gloves when you clan up:
toilets and the bathroom
vomit, diarrhea
after pets
Wash rubber work gloves well after each use, and then wash your hands.
When handling needles, always:
hold the sharp end away from yourself
put used needles in a sturdy, plastic jar with a lid
give the jar to your healthcare professional for safe disposal
never put the cap back on the needle
never bend or cut needles
never remove the sharp needle from the plastic part
never put the used needle jar in the garbage
What if I stick myself?
Don't panic.
Put the needle in the used needle jar
Wash where you stuck yourself using warm, soapy water for at least 15 seconds.
Call your doctor or clinic nurse and tell them what happened
Follow their instructions
When you care for someone with HIV or AIDS, you may be caring for the family pet as well.
Take care... with bird cages, litter boxes and fish tanks.
People with HIV or AIDS should not clean bird cages, litter boxes or fish and animal tanks. Other people should wear rubber work gloves while cleaning tanks, cages and litter boxes, and wash their hands afterwards. Litter boxes should be cleaned everyday.
Take care... when gardening.
People with HIV or AIDS should wear work gloves when gardening. Germs can live in gardens or potting soil. Wash hands after gardening.