Can I get HIV from a dentist? Prevention of HIV in dentistry

Despite the progress in medicine, so far no one has found a remedy that will prove effective in the fight against the immunodeficiency virus. So the disease remains incurable. And this frightens many people. The only way to protect against HIV remains to prevent infection. Many people are still not familiar with the information that describes how the virus is transmitted. Their knowledge is based only on unverified rumors and their own guesses. All this only increases the fear of infection. So for today the question is very actual: "Can I get HIV from a dentist?". About the methods of transmission of infection, the norms of sanitary treatment of instruments and will be discussed in this article.

Briefly about HIV infection

Today, every person knows that the abbreviation of HIV stands for "human immunodeficiency virus". This disease is characterized by the fact that the smallest microorganisms cause people to malfunction in the protective functions of the body. The action of the virus can be described as follows. Getting into the body, it affects the immune system, destroying the cells responsible for protecting against infections and destroying germs.

Over time, a person becomes unable to resist neither external infections, nor bacteria or fungi. The virus only multiplies within a person. Outside of the body, he dies. For the duration of life outside the body affects the temperature factor, humidity. Bends the virus when heated (over 56 degrees Celsius). Sterilization of dental instruments completely destroys HIV, because it is designed for more enduring viruses and bacteria.

Ways of transmission of the virus

The highest probability of HIV transmission is from a person who is at the end of the incubation period, at the time of primary manifestation and at a late stage of the disease. The considered infection is referred to long-term ailments. The virus feels great in all human biological fluids (in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, saliva, tears, sweat, etc.). It is worth noting that the virus is contained in these biological fluids in different concentrations. This also causes a difference in their epidemiological significance.

The biological substrates of a person most likely to transmit are:

• blood;
• breast milk;
• Vaginal discharge;
• Sperm and predyeakulyat.

It should be noted that HIV infection is caused by the ingestion of pathogens into the internal environment of the body. We are interested in the question: "Can I get HIV from a dentist?". Therefore, we will consider the only possible way of transmission of infection - through the blood.

Prevention of HIV in dentistry

It's no secret that there have been recorded cases of infection of patients in medical institutions, manicure rooms and other institutions. The risk group includes all facilities in which services are supposed to be implied, involving surgical intervention or cosmetic manipulation.

Dental clinics are no exception. In their offices every day drawn a huge number of people. It is for this reason that it is especially important to comply with all sanitary standards and sterilize the dental instruments. For today in each clinic there is a plan of preventive measures. Fulfilling all the requirements, both the private dentist and the doctor of the state hospital protect against infection of themselves and patients of their office.

Possible causes and features of infection in the dental office

We are interested in the probability and pathways of infection of dentist patients. Can I get HIV from a dentist? Theoretically yes. In a medical institution you can get infected with a single hit of the virus particles into the blood. For example, this can happen during removal of the dental unit with a sterile tool. Multiple fractional hits (microinfection) can also lead to the development of the disease in the patient. As a rule, the body, having good resistance, is able to withstand viruses. But not always the mucous membrane can work as a barrier.

When a person is treated in a clinic that has a sterilization station, there is no risk of infection. The guarantee of safety is almost one hundred percent. Modern dental clinics in Moscow are almost all equipped at the highest level. Here, the so-called human factor can only play a cruel joke. It is not ruled out negligent attitude towards the prevention of infection of any of the personnel. Therefore, the choice of a doctor should be approached with all responsibility.

How do dental clinics in Moscow perform sterilization?

The virus is sensitive to high temperature. Boiling kills him very quickly (60 seconds). The virus can not withstand the effects of disinfectants (hydrogen peroxide, chloramine solution, alcohol, ether and acetone).

The specialists of the modern clinic always follow the sanitary rules in order to prevent infection. The dental instrumentation undergoes several stages of purification:

• disinfection;
• Preliminary processing;
• sterilization.

In addition to these manipulations, a procedure is performed to reveal the hidden blood on the instrument. The quality of sterilization is also monitored.

In dentistry for a long time practiced one-time use of the following devices and means of protection:

• Saliva ejector;
• Injection needles;
• Dental aprons and aspirators;
• Gloves, masks.

Advice to patients

There are several rules that will make it possible to secure your trip to the dentist. For many patients, this event itself causes stress. And if they are also worried about the question: "Can I get HIV from a dentist?", Going to the doctor can not take place at all. We offer several ways how to kill two birds with one stone.

First, attention switching will work. And this will distract the patient from fear of dental instruments.

Secondly, a person will feel much calmer when he can control the issue of his own security.

It is necessary to make sure that the doctor has opened the packaging of instruments intended for single use, before your eyes.

Before the procedure, you can pay attention to the status of tools, as well as the cleanliness in the office.

Correct actions for non-standard situations are a security pledge. For example, an anesthetic was performed at the dentist, after which the doctor accidentally pricked with a needle. What to do? The specialist should use the first aid kit "Anti-AIDS", and not just change gloves and continue treatment.

Providing dental care for people with HIV

The federal law states that the prevention of the spread of diseases caused by the immunodeficiency virus in the Russian Federation is also in the provision of medical care. It was agreed to reduce contact with the patient to a minimum. The doctor is obliged to keep a medical secret. The law provides disinfection measures. In connection with them, the feasibility of placing patient patients in separate rooms was noted. At the same time they must be equipped with the necessary equipment. For preventive purposes, it is recommended that all medical manipulations be performed in the last place (after healthy patients).

Dental care for people with HIV infection can be fully received, provided that the prescribed safety measures are observed. In turn, people with HIV infection should notify staff about their status.

What should I do if I suspect an infection?

In general, experts recommend that all adults take periodic HIV tests. This can be done with the help of rapid tests, which are implemented at drugstores. More reliable information the patient will receive in specialized offices. It is only necessary to donate blood and wait for the result.

Unfortunately, early diagnosis of HIV infection is complicated by the fact that the initial symptomatology occurs in other ailments. Nevertheless, one should be alerted to manifestations of unmotivated fatigue, increased sweating at night, headaches. At the same time, high body temperature, prolonged diarrhea can be maintained. Symptoms of infection include:

• weight loss;
• furunculosis;
• Enlarged lymph nodes.

HIV can be suspected when diagnosing the following diseases:

• Pneumonia (pneumocystic);
• Kaposi's sarcoma;
• Toxoplasmosis of the brain;
• Herpes zoster.

Instead of concluding

In conclusion, I would like to add that in the field of medicine and dentistry in particular, algorithms have long been developed that make it possible to provide the population with the most safe and reliable treatment. With all preventive and protective measures, the probability of HIV infection in the dentist's office is minimal. All this is conditioned by the responsible approach of the doctor and the management of the clinic to their work and attentive attitude to even the most insignificant details. On the shoulders of patients is the responsibility for the choice of clinic and specialist. A private dentist will be led by a doctor or doctor on duty - this decision is yours. It must be remembered that you always have the right to refuse to carry out manipulations if any doctor's actions do not inspire confidence in you.