$Unique_ID{BRK01327}
$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{Can One Catch AIDS While Performing CPR on Some Unknown Person?}
$Subject{first aid AIDS CPR}
$Volume{Q-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can One Catch AIDS While Performing CPR on Some Unknown Person?


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QUESTION:  My husband recently joined the Rescue Squad of our local volunteer
fire department.  He is now undergoing the training that is necessary, and
while they were learning to do CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), the
instructor placed something over the dummy's mouth to avoid contact with the
men.  That lead to this question.  Can my husband catch AIDS while performing
CPR on some unknown person?  Please answer.

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ANSWER:  The protective mask or mouthpieces use on CPR training mannequins are
used to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, not AIDS.  According to
the recent supplemental guidelines for CPR, issued by the Emergency Cardiac
Care Committee of the American Heart Association, there is an extremely small
theoretical risk of acquiring an infection of either AIDS (HIV virus) or
Hepatitis B virus during CPR.  There is no known case where this has occurred
according to an article published in an issue of the Journal of the American
Medical Association in 1989.  The risk of these infections to the rescuer
comes from contact with contaminated blood or other body fluids of the victim.
If the rescuer has cuts or lesions on his hands or mouth, the theoretical risk
of infection is increased.  Mere contact with unbroken skin surfaces is not
considered a risk factor, but if blood or other fluids splash into the mouth,
eyes, or nose, immediate washing is required, and the incident should be
reported to a physician.  At any rate, properly equipped rescue teams would
not be required to perform direct mouth to mouth resuscitation.  Even the lay
citizen, can offer some help, by opening airways of victims and when no pulse
is present, performing proper chest compression maneuvers.  While not a
technique of choice it may buy the victim another 25-30 seconds, by which
time rescue equipment may get to the scene.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
