DEALING WITH COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND AIDS

Course overview

All information in this course is based on data provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In 1987, the CDC replaced the 1983 isolation category of "Blood and Body Fluid Precautions" with our present day "Universal Precautions. The CDC has defined "Universal Precautions" as a set of precautions designed to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other bloodborne pathogens when providing first aid or any other health care services. Under universal precautions, blood and certain body fluids of every patient are considered potentially infectious for HIV, HBV, and other blood borne pathogens. However, implementing universal precautions does not eliminate the need for other isolation precautions such as: droplet precautions for influenza, airborne isolation for pulmonary tuberculosis, or contact isolation for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aurous. Understanding the risks and exposures is of utmost importance when embalming or other preparation of the dead human body. In this course, we will identify how you can protect yourself and live a long healthy life, in spite of those risks and exposures. Keep in mind that the information contained in this course will also provide you with a better understanding of precautions taken in health-care facilities, prior to and immediately after death, before bodies are transported to the funeral home for preparation. This course will provide an understanding of how those facilities that care for infected patients protect themselves, their staff, and non-infected patients