Hepatitis & HIV - What you should know

There are many infectious diseases but the ones that are considered of main concern are HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis A, B and C.

Analysis of various exposure have shown the relative risk of transmission of these disease through contaminated needle stick injury are as follows:

HIV/AIDS

HIV stands for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and is the virus which causes the disease AIDS or Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome.

The risk of transmission in a workplace setting is extremely low. To date there has been no transmission in emergency service workers in Australia via occupational exposure.

HIV is transmitted in the following ways:

• infected blood/blood products
• unsafe sexual practices
• injecting drug use
• transmission from infected mother to baby

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. It is highly infectious and is usually spread by faeces contaminating the food chain. Hepatitis A is a significant risk when hygiene standards are poor. The incubation period is generally 3 to 6 weeks duration. Children are most commonly affected, although infection can occur at any age. In occasional outbreaks, water, milk and shellfish have been involved in the transmission of the virus.

To reduce your risk of contracting Hepatitis A:

• Always wash hands thoroughly:
  • after going to the toilet
  • before preparing food
  • after handling nappies
• Avoid sharing food, cutlery, crockery, cigarettes and drinks with other people

The good news is that there is a very effective vaccine available for the prevention of hepatitis A (not to be confused with the vaccine for hepatitis B). But note that vaccination is no substitute for good hygiene.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is transmitted in a variety of ways including:

• from mother to baby at time of birth
• injecting drug use
• unsafe sexual practises
• infected blood/blood products
• tattooing with unsterilised needles
• sharing razors/tooth brushes
• occupational exposure (e.g. needle stick injury)

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is transmitted in a variety of ways including:

• from mother to baby
• injecting drug use (very high risk activity)
• unsafe sexual practises
• infected blood/blood products