PLHIV should avoid getting infections
Since HIV affects the function of the immune system, a person with HIV is more susceptible to opportunistic infections. People with HIV should take effective actions to prevent communicable diseases which may have important consequences for their health. Here, we will briefly discuss some preventative measures to reduce the risks of some common infections when giving advice to PLHIV.
Can you give any examples of common infectious diseases that PLHIV may contract due to improper handling of food and unclean water?
You may have thought of giardiasis, amoebiasis and diarrhoeal diseases caused by bacteria or viruses.
To prevent the occurrence of faeco-oral diseases, caused by transmission of infectious agents from the faeces to the mouth (usually on the hands or in food and water), your advice should include instructions on clean preparation of food and water before consumption. For example, vegetables and fruits should be washed with clean water. Drinking water should be cleaned by boiling it vigorously for a few seconds, then cooling it. Advise your patients to eat only well-cooked food. For example, cooked meat should be brown and have no traces of blood in it, and soups should always be boiled before being eaten.
Another very important hygienic measure used to prevent faeco-oral diseases includes frequently washing hands with soap, in particular after using the toilet and before preparing food or eating.
Prevention of sexual transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) should be actively encouraged. Remember that PLHIV can still transmit HIV if they are involved in unsafe sexual practises, even if they are on ART.
What are the main preventative measures to reduce the risk of STIs and HIV re-infection?
Abstaining from sex, being faithful to a long-term partner, and adopting safer sex practices, such as the use of condoms.
If your community is in a malaria-endemic area, you should educate PLHIV to use bed nets regularly at night, to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. This is because PLHIV are particularly susceptible to malaria.
Finally, common hygienic measures to reduce the risk of infections from minor injuries or wounds include thorough cleaning and wound care. You should actively encourage PLHIV to attend the nearest health facility as soon as possible in the event of a minor injury or wound.