Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive.
HIV and AIDS is not transmitted via skin to skin or skin to surface contact. The virus can only be transmitted through bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, and vaginal and anal secretions, feces, urine, tears, and saliva. Other body fluids and waste products, such as feces, nasal fluid, saliva, sweat, tears, urine, and vomit, don’t contain enough HIV to infect you, unless they have blood mixed in them and you have significant and direct contact with them.
HIV is unable to reproduce outside a living host, and it does not survive well in the open air. HIV cannot be transmitted through spitting, sneezing, sharing glasses, cutlery, or musical instruments. It is not transmitted by sharing swimming pools or shower facilities either.
In the event of an accident in which blood and/or bodily fluids are present, it is recommended that professional cleaning contractors follow OSHA guidelines on cleaning bloodborne pathogens.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from infection when cleaning blood or bodily fluids:
Jon-Don is fully stocked with the personal protective gear you need to minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and/or AIDS.