The hysteria on HIV/AIDs in the US started in the 1980’s. The virus was said to have come from Africa. The disease used to be called the “gay man’s disease.” Later on, many drug abusers also came down with the disease. The mode of transmission was found to come from blood and semen. Hence, safe sex (use of condoms) was emphasized to the general population. For healthcare providers, blood and body fluid exposure training has become mandatory in many healthcare organizations. Using gloves and personal protective equipment (PPE) has become a general practice when handling other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). This course looks into the possible complications associated with HIV/AIDs and what care providers should watch out for in this patient population.
Learning Objectives Caring for patients with HIV/AIDs
- Understand how HIV is transmitted.
- Understand what HIV does to the body.
- Learn common symptoms of patients with HIV.
- Understand possible medical complications of patients with worsening HIV condition or advancing to AIDS.
- Understand how to care for HIV/AIDS patients.