Idea Transcript
Shelter Health:
Essentials of Care for :eople en >raybill, MSW Deff Elivet, MA
!ational Health Care for the Homeless Council www.nhchc.org
3
Shelter Health: Essentials of Care for :eople tell if my partner has H>X?
There is no way to tell if a person is infected with Hai. He or she can look healthy and feel healthy.
How can > tell if > have been infected with H>X? When a person is initially infected with Hai, he or she may have fevers, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a rash. This usually resolves in several days. :eople with Hai may not know it. They may feel and look very healthy. They can still spread the virus. The only way to find out is to have Hai testing done either by a saliva sample or a blood sample.
Does a positive H>X test mean > have 8>D4?
!o. at means you have been infected with the virus. Treatment with medication may prevent the development of AaDS. af your Hai test is positive, you can spread the virus to sexual partners, needle use partners or your unborn child.
What do > do if > am pregnant and may have H>X? af you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor about getting a test for Hai. af you are Hai positive, your doctor can help you and your baby if you get into care as soon as possible. Continued on ne8t page. !ational Health Care for the Homeless Council www.nhchc.org
3_
Shelter Health: Essentials of Care for :eople do if > am H>X positive? at is important to remember that Hai is now a treatable disease. Yet medical care as soon as possible. af you do not need medications, it is important to stay as healthy as possible and to get regular check ups.
What do > do if someone > 9now is H>X positive?
:eople with Hai need support and understanding, as well as respect for their confidentiality. af someone tells you he or she has Hai, offer friendship but respect their privacy.
How can > 9eep from getting H>X? You can become infected if you do not practice safer sex. Men should always wear a condom jrubberk. -Y Dellys, For-:lays, :re:airs, or :robes. Don’t put any oil or iaselines on the condom because it may break. Avoid nonoxynol I spermicide. !ever use a condom more than once. Don’t take chances. Use a condom from start to finish every time you have sex. Eral sex on a man should also be done with a condom in place. For oral sex on a woman, use a dental dam. Don’t let blood or sexual fluids enter your mouth or your partner’s. Dry kissing, masturbation, hugging, and touching are safe. Deep jFrenchk kissing has not been shown to pass on the virus but may be risky, especially if there are sores or blood in someone’s mouth. DE!’T SHEET DRUYSv The best protection from Hai is to get help through a drug program. When using drugs, !EiER SHARE !EED get information about H>X^8>D4?
Much information about HaigAaDS is now available. The shelters have brochures and sometimes videos. There are now many magaQines with information about HaigAaDS. af you have access to the internet, the following websites can give you information that is easy to understand: www.proKectinform.com www.thebody.com www.aegis.com Originally pu=lished in The Health Care of Homeless :ersons. !ational Health Care for the Homeless Council www.nhchc.org
3I
Shelter Health: Essentials of Care for :eople don’t get my child vaccinated?
af you don’t get your child vaccinated, they can get very sick. Also, they may not be able to enroll in a school or day-care center. Yenerally, state law requires all children enrolled in daycare centers, schools, and colleges to be up-to-date with immuniQations jwith some exemptions based on religious beliefsk. >eep your child’s immuniQation records updated and in a safe place. You will need them as your child grows up.
Originally pu=lished in The Health Care of Homeless :ersons.
!ational Health Care for the Homeless Council www.nhchc.org
43
Shelter Health: Essentials of Care for :eople 8QQY >%FE-T>UU4 78TER>8Q4 First 8id and -5R: Employees who are trained in First Aid and C:R may elect to assist clients needing these interventions. The agency should provide equipment to reduce the risk of infection while rendering such aid. Equipment that should be available and accessible to the employees includes: u