The Jamaica Star :: Health :: Health worker precautions

Dear Counsellor:

I'm a young boy and I was thinking of becoming a doctor when I leave school. Is it easy to catch the AIDS virus while looking after a patient?

Dear Al:

All health care workers are instructed to follow strict safety guidelines, which are called universal precautions, to ensure that they are not infected by any of the diseases which they treat. Because of this, the risk of health workers becoming infected by HIV is very low. Therefore, you should still consider taking the career path of your choice.

Nutrition

Dear Counsellor:

I've been living with HIV for almost 16 years and I'm doing fine. However, about two months ago, I noticed that I had a little trouble eating or maintaining my weight and strength. Are there any suggestions that you think could help me?

HIV Positive

Dear HIV Positive:

Thank you for writing this letter. Your letter should help many HIV-positive persons to see that they can live a healthy life with HIV for a long time. Here are some general hints that may help you:

❏ Eat small amounts often. Foods that can be eaten with fingers are easier to manage, particularly since you are feeling weak.

❏ To supplement a regular diet of nutritious foods, vegetable oil can be added to food.

❏ Get yourself a medical examination to make sure certain problems that decrease the appetite or ability to eat, such as thrush or dental problems, are diagnosed and treated.

❏ Speak with a nutritionist.

Lack of appetite or difficulty in eating may be very distressing for you and your family and may make you feel helpless and ineffective. It might help if you could discuss your situation with a health care worker.

Safe sex

Dear Counsellor:

Two years ago when I tested positive for HIV, I had no feelings for sex. I even hated the word sex. Now that I'm feeling differently, I met this man who has really swept me off my feet. I love him and I want to have sex with him. Can I still have sex?

Marie

Dear Marie:

Yes, you can still have sex, but I must remind you that there are few absolute guarantees in life. I think you should tell your partner that you are HIV positive before you have sex, so you can make choices together. If you practise safe sex every time you have sex by using condoms the right way, you can greatly reduce the chance of passing HIV on to someone else or reinfecting yourself.

For more information on condom use, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections call the AIDS/STD Helpline at 967-3830, 967-3764 or toll free at: 1888-991-4444 or write to AIDS Affairs, c/o the Star, 7 North Street, Kingston.