Questions from the Fire Brigade staff

[Guest guest]

I was doing an AIDS awareness session with Fire Brigade staff and there were

two questions from the group which need to be answered.

1. When there is a fire we get open injury and we have to bring out the half

burnt bodies which means direct contact with fluids, Can we get infection if

the body is that of a positive person?, If yes what are the precautinary

measures?

2. We recieve calls that there is a dead body in water tank or ponds, sometimes

these bodies are more than four-five days old and in bad shape. Our fingers get

into the body. Does the virus survive in such bodies if the person is infected

and can we get the infection???

Please give your valuable views and suggestions

M.Shadab

E-mail: shadab-rbgm@...

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[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Shadab

This is in response to questions received by you from the fire

brigade staff. I asked our Advisors working in the field of

HIV/AIDS and their answers are given below :

1) Body fluid of a dead person is likely to have lost potency and

hence the virus may not be able to live.

2) To get infected you need to get it inside your body fluid. If

you have a cut your blood will be gushing out and not in hence I don't think you

have any chances of getting infected.

Others' comments on these points would be welcome.

Regards

Pawan Dhall

Secretary, Integration

E-mail:<integration99@...>

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[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Shadab:

In addition to the feedback from Pawal, i would like to suggest the fire brigade

staff to use rectified spirit and rub their hands first before holding any

decomposed body. Rubbing spirit would help identify cuts which cant be seen with

the naked eye. If you have cuts or wounds, using surgical gloves would be a wise

precaution. If the department could supply the rectified spirit in every Fire

Engine that goes to the scene of the indicidents that would help the brave men

of our Country who are enlisted in the Fire Department prevent themselves from

infection.

El Shaddai Resource Centre

e-MAIL: jol@...

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