NCJ Number
109107
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement officers have real concerns about acquired immune deficiency syndrome and other infectious diseases with which they may come in contact in the course of their duties. This policy statement provides guidelines for Newport News, Va., personnel exposed to potentially hazardous situtations.
Abstract
Guidelines describe procedures to minimize risk of infection during administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid, crime scene investigation, body removal, cuts, human bites, spitting, and contact with urine or feces. In general, guidelines emphasize avoiding contact with potentially infected blood and body fluids, wearing gloves when such contact is likely, and seeking medical care after exposures involving bites, cuts, or puncture wounds. An AIDS fact sheet emphasizes that the AIDS virus is transmitted primarily through sexual contact, intravenous drug use with contaminated paraphernalia, or from an infected mother to her infant. It is not transmitted through routine casual contact such as shaking hands, sharing transportation with an infected person, or working in an office with one. The best protection is the barrier provided by the skin, together with careful washing after contact with potentially contaminated articles or blood and body fluids and use of protective clothing when needed.