The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has a set of Universal Precautions in place for massage therapists and others involved in health services, to prevent the spread of disease and ensure the safety of everyone involved. "The mission...
Prevent disease transmission through blood borne pathogens by avoiding direct contact with blood. Infectious diseases from bacteria and viruses are transmitted when an infected person's blood or bodily fluids enter another person's body through...
Bloodborne pathogens are microscopic organisms that are capable of causing disease or illness. Blood and other body fluids might contain these pathogens. HBV, which causes Hepatitis B and HIV, are two of the most well known bloodborne pathogens.
Certain populations have a higher risk of developing hepatitis B. Health-care workers and inmates in a prison are at risk. IV drug users and people who have multiple sexual partners, especially those who don't use latex condoms, put themselves at...
Hepatitis C is a chronic disease of the liver that often lies dormant. In time, it generally causes scarring of the liver, liver failure and other complications such as liver cancer. The majority of those infected are treated with medications, and...
Contracting HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is something that you can prevent. According to the CDC, HIV is spread through sexual contact with someone who is infected, sharing needles for injecting drugs with someone who is infected, or during...
Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that can cause serious skin infection, or abscess. This infection affects people in hospitals and in communities. MRSA is alarming to healthcare providers because it is resistant to common...
Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive medical procedure used to measure a person's oxygen saturation level. Waves of infrared light determine the amount of oxygen the blood's hemoglobin is carrying. Hemoglobin is a component in blood that carries oxygen...
Getting diagnosed with HIV is not the same as having AIDS. According to "The Body," if HIV is left untreated, it can progress to AIDS. If you are worried about having been exposed to HIV, getting screened is important. Getting screened and...
Herpes whitlow, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus, predominantly affects health care workers, including those in the dental field. Contact with saliva, mucosal and other infected secretions is the general mode of transmission. Both...
Tattoo artists must clean their equipment properly after each use. When the blood from one person infected with a disease, such as HIV or hepatitis, is left on the equipment and comes into contact with the next customer's blood, these diseases...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one million persons in the United States are infected by HIV as of 2010. This staggering statistic identifies the importance of AIDS prevention efforts. Populations at greatest risk...
Carbidopa levodopa (Sinemet) is a combination medication used most commonly in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Sinemet is also prescribed for Parkinson-like complications resulting from carbon monoxide or manganese intoxication. The majority...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2008 approximately 56,000 people in the United States were newly infected by HIV. It is a disease that affects millions of people globally and from all walks of life. Many advances in...
MRSA, or methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, is an staph infection that is resistant to common antibiotics that are used to treat infections. The Mayo Clinic reports that one-third of the population has staph bacteria in their noses, or...
Accidents are unexpected by their very nature and knowing what to do in an emergency is what first aid is all about. The self-confidence you gain from knowing first aid procedures and how to act in an emergency cannot be overstated; it could be...
Tattoos and other forms of body art have surged in popularity in recent years. A tattoo can serve as an expression of individuality, a way of paying tribute to a loved one or simply a form of adornment. Unfortunately, the increase in tattoos...
Drawing blood or starting intravenous infusions starts with venipuncture, the placement of a needle in a vein. Done improperly, venipuncture can result in infection, stress for the patient, bruising or blood collection under the skin and pain....
Phlebotomists are responsible for collecting blood and urine samples so they can be analyzed by laboratory professionals. This career requires training to ensure that new phlebotomists are capable of following universal precautions and collecting...
Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that results in inflammation of the liver. This is considered an infectious disease because it can be transmitted from one person to another through contaminated blood and tissue products, needles and...
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages your immune system, hindering your body's ability to fight viruses and bacteria responsible for various diseases. The Mayo Clinic states that approximately 39.5 million people worldwide...
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is a chronic, life-threatening disease that as of 2010 affects more than 39 million people worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic. It begins as HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, a virus that...
According to a review by Maureen Gavin and Paul J. Patti published in the April 27, 2009 issue of "Home Healthcare Nurse," and the review done by Tara Keen and Mary McNally published in the May 2009 issue of the "Journal of the Canadian Dental...
AIDS, an acronym for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a chronic, life-threatening disease that affects more than 39 million people worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic. It begins as HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, which...
After a total hip replacement, the surgeon's job is over, but the patient's work is just beginning. Man-made hip joints are smaller than natural joints, so hip dislocation is always a concern, notes physical therapist Sarah B. Briley, adding that...
Tattoos are a type of body art that entails making small punctures in the skin and injecting ink to make a permanent mark. If you are getting a tattoo, go to a reputable parlor and licensed practitioner. Aside from the pain associated with the...
Visiting the dentist for a dental procedure can be a nerve-racking experience, especially if you have not seen the dentist in a long time. One way to feel less anxious about your experience is to understand what types of dental instruments the...
All cardiac surgeries require a hospitalization; the length is dependent upon the type of surgery performed. Cardiac surgeries include everything from angioplasty to open heart surgery. The term hospital precautions refers to a set of rules that...
Slippery elm is an old folk remedy used for many ailments, including skin irritations. Slippery elm powder is a skin-soothing alternative to talc-based baby powders. The use of slippery elm as a baby powder has not been well studied, but the...
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease carried in the blood and caused by the hepatitis C virus infecting the liver after blood-to-blood contact. Learn more about hepatitis C, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.
Hepatitis B is liver inflammation that results from a DNA virus. Learn more about hepatitis B, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.