Guidelines for good hygiene

Generally, hygiene precautions need not be different for people with AIDS compared to those without. This is because most of the opportunistic infections associated with HIV are not ones you 'catch' from the environment. For instance, people with AIDS are no more or less vulnerable to the common cold than anyone else. But even then, a few simple guidelines can cover most eventualities:

• Washing carefully with soap and hot running water is always the most important element in any aspect of good hygiene.
• Wear strong rubber gloves and use very hot water and strong disinfectants when cleaning up or dealing with anything messy, like gardening, manure, diarrhea, rubbish, blood, etc.
• The hot cycle of washing machines successfully cleans all kinds of dirty fabrics.
• Make sure you use different cleaning cloths for kitchen and bathroom.
• If you have cuts on your skin, wash well under running water, encourage a bit of bleeding to flush out any germs, clean the cut with antiseptic and put a waterproof plaster over it .
• With any deep cuts it is always best to get medical attention
• Do not share toothbrushes or razors.
• Avoid cuts by disposing of sharp objects carefully .
• Avoid children with chickenpox if you have never been exposed to it before. It is caused by the herpes zoster virus, which may cause shingles in HIV-positive adults.
• Water supplies may not be as pure as we like to think they are, and could also be a source of infection.
• Risk of infections is greater with pets around.

Guidelines for pet owners with HIV

There is evidence to suggest that the risk of acquiring infections from animals is in reality low. One study has reported that people with HIV who owned cats were no more likely to develop toxoplasmosis during their illness than those who did not own cats. Still, it would be better to follow a few guidelines if you are HIV positive and have a pet at home.

• All animals should have a routine annual examination by a vet which should include fecal examination for potential parasites
• HIV-positive people choosing new pets should acquire healthy adult animals, which are less likely to carry or shed parasites, and less likely to bite or scratch or to have poor bowel habits
• Pets should be neutered at an early age. This discourages roaming behaviour and aggressive tendencies that might encourage the acquisition of pathogens or biting and scratching.
• Cats and dogs should be treated regularly for fleas during the flea season
• Exposure to pathogens can also occur if working with animals or gardening. For example, cleaning chicken coops or cleaning up pigeon droppings could expose HIV-positive people to infections, as could soil clearance without gloves.
• Potential occupational hazards should be discussed with doctors as soon as possible.
• People with HIV may be well advised to treat tap water with some caution. Water companies cannot guarantee that water supplies are free from "Cryptosporidium" or other microorganisms which cause diarrhea in HIV-positive people who have compromised immunity.

Guidelines to prevent food poisoning

• ``Salmonella" is a definite risk for people with HIV
• Listeria, another infection spread by food can cause problems for children with HIV
• "Shigella" and "Campylobacter" can also cause problems. Infections with these organisms can be hard to eradicate
• Because of the squalid conditions in which fowl are reared, "Salmonella" frequently infects chickens. This means that it is especially important to make sure chicken is cooked through, so that no red blood can be seen at all
• Take special care with frozen chickens. Meat should be thawed in the fridge, not at room temperature
• Wash your hands after handling uncooked poultry and make sure uncooked meat and poultry is not stored uncovered in the fridge near cold meats or dairy products
• Ideally, wash eggs before cracking them, and cook them thoroughly until both the yolk and the white set. Do not use cracked eggs
• It is also advisable to avoid unpasteurised dairy products, including milk, 'live yoghurt', and some soft cheeses, which may also contain "Salmonella" and listeria
• It may also be sensible to avoid farm animals and their excreta, including manure, since this can harbour infections such as "Cryptosporidium"
• Organically grown vegetables are often grown in raw manure, so it is wise to brush off as much dirt as possible and then clean the vegetables with boiled water
• If reheating food, take care to ensure that it is properly cooked all the way through. With microwave ovens, ensure that the food is not undercooked.
• Wash fruit and vegetables properly, and keep cutting and preparation surfaces clean. Try to avoid ordering reheated food in restaurants
• On holiday in warm climates the risk of food poisoning may well extend to salads and fruit
• Reheated food may also have been sitting in the heat for too long. Food that you know has been immediately and thoroughly cooked is safest. Do not use food after its sell-by date

Guidelines for foreign travel

• Have a check-up at your clinic before you go and know the precautions you can take.
• If you are currently using any medications, ensure you take an adequate supply with you, as they may be hard or impossible to obtain abroad.
• Medicines should be clearly labeled, and at some countries' customs and immigration points it will help to have a doctor's letter stating that you do need the treatments.
• It is sensible to research local medical facilities before traveling to another country, particularly if local medical care is relatively poor.
• Make sure you have appropriate travel and medical insurance. Some policies cover the cost of flying home if you need medical attention.
• Take as much care as possible with food and water.
• Where you are uncertain about the standards of hygiene and food preparation, it is wise to avoid tap water and ice; raw or partially cooked shellfish, fish, meat and eggs; fresh (i.e. raw and unpeeled) vegetables and fruit; and unpasteurised dairy products.
• If you are not immune to hepatitis A and have not been immunized, ensure you receive immune globulin before leaving as this can effectively prevent infection.
• Avoid excessive sun tanning as the ultra violent rays can cause greater HIV activity.

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