First AID definition, type of cuts, woulds, lacerations with reason and the precaution,

Hello Haris Quamar,

What is HIV?

• HIV stands for human immunodeficience virus.
• HIV is a virus that attacks cells in the immune system, which is our body’s natural defence against illness.
• The virus destroys a type of white blood cell in the immune system called a T-helper cell, and makes copies of itself inside these cells. T-helper cells are also referred to as CD4 cells.
• As HIV destroys more CD4 cells and makes more copies of itself, it gradually weakens a person’s immune system. This means that someone who has HIV, and isn’t taking antiretroviral treatment, will find it harder and harder to fight off infections and diseases.
• If HIV is left untreated, it may take up to 10 or 15 years for the immune system to be so severely damaged that it can no longer defend itself at all.
• HIV is found in semen, blood, vaginal and anal fluids, and breastmilk. HIV can’t be transmitted through sweat, saliva or urine.

What is AIDS?

• AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrom. Acquired means you can get infected with it, Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body's system that fights diseases, and Syndrome means a group of health problems that make up a disease.
• HIV is the cause of AIDS. However, being HIV-positive, or having HIV disease, is not the same as having AIDS.

How do you get AIDS?

• Having sexual intercourse with an infected person who is not on treatment and has a detectable viral load.
• Sharing a needle (shooting drugs, tottoos and piercings, mother to infanct transmission) with someone who's infected.
• Being born when their mother is infected, or drinking the breast milk of an infected woman.
• HIV can be trasmitted through contact between infectious fluids and bleeding cuts or open sores in the skin. However, without contact with the infected person, there is no way in which HIV can be transmitted as the skin provides an excellent barrier against the virus.

HIV is not spread through the following ways:

• Physical cantact with the infected person does not put you at risk. The only time physical contact puts you at risk is when the infected person has open cuts or wounds.
• Sharing a living space with the infected person, including sharing of a bedroom, bathroom is safe. However, it is not advisable to share razors, tooth brushes of the infected person.
• Sharing of utensils and food does not lead to the transmission of HIV so long as the infected person does not have bleeding gums.
• Saliva, sweat or tears of the infected person do not lead to HIV.

Preventive measures to reduce chances of getting AIDS:

• Using protection when having intercouse.
• Limiting the number of sexual partners.
• Getting tested for HIV regularly and getting proper and immediate treatment done when necessary.
• Don't inject drugs. But if necessary, only use sterile drug injection equipment and water and never share the equipments with others.
• Health care providers can provide with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is an HIV prevention option for people who don’t have HIV but who are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. PrEP involves taking a specific HIV medicine every day.

I hope this helps!

Do revert back in case of doubts.

Hello Haris Quamar,

What is first aid?

First aid refers to the immediate treatment of an individual(s) that is injured or ill. First aid is not a full medical treatment, but something that can be done to stabilize a person so they can be moved to a hospital for regular medical treatment, or to preserve life while waiting for medical professionals. First aid is a certification that is required for many professions, and is available from a wide variety of institutions.

There are various levels of first aid that are offered, though, most common is standard first aid, or healthcare provider first aid. Typically, CPR and AED training are included in a first aid course. A first aid course prepares individuals to respond in emergency situations, both life threatening and non-life threatening, and provide general medical attention. This can include everything from wound care, to treating hypothermia, to performing CPR. Usually, the first aider takes after the injured or ill until professional medical professionals arrive on scene.

What is there in a first aid box?

A basic first aid kit may contain:

• plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes
• small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
• at least 2 sterile eye dressings
• triangular bandagescrêpe rolled bandages
• safety pinsdisposable sterile gloves
• tweezers
• scissors
• alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• sticky tapethermometer (preferably digital)
• skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
• cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
• antiseptic cream
• painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen
• cough medicine
• antihistamine cream or tablets
• distilled water for cleaning wounds
• eye wash and eye bath

Different types of wounds are:

• Abrasion : An abrasion occurs when your skin rubs or scrapes against a rough or hard surface. Road rash is an example of an abrasion. There’s usually not a lot of bleeding, but the wound needs to be scrubbed and cleaned to avoid infection.
• Laceration : A laceration is a deep cut or tearing of your skin. Accidents with knives, tools, and machinery are frequent causes of lacerations. In the case of deep lacerations, bleeding can be rapid and extensive.
• Puncture : A puncture is a small hole caused by a long, pointy object, such as a nail or needle. Sometimes, a bullet can cause a puncture wound. Punctures may not bleed much, but these wounds can be deep enough to damage internal organs. If you have even a small puncture wound, visit your doctor to get a tetanus shot and prevent infection.
• Avulsion : An avulsion is a partial or complete tearing away of skin and the tissue beneath. Avulsions usually occur during violent accidents, such as body-crushing accidents, explosions, and gunshots. They bleed heavily and rapidly.

How to treat a minor cut or scrape?

• Wash your hands with soap so you do not get bacteria into the cut and cause infection.
• Put pressure on the wound in order to stop the bleeding.
• Rinse the wound under cool running water. Clean the area around the wound with soap and a weshcloth.
• Use a pair of tweexers to remove any dirt or debris.
• Place a piece of clean gauze over the wound and apply tape around it in order to hold it in place.

When to see a doctor?

• They are deep (doctors usually are more concerned with how deep a cut is rather than how long it is, because of the concern that deeper tissues like blood vessels, nerves, or tendons may be damaged)
• They expose any muscle tissue (red) or fat tissue (yellowish)
• They stay open if you let go of the sides of the cut
• They are on a joint or in an area where healing might be difficult (stitching might be needed to keep it closed)
• They remain visibly dirty after being cleaned.
• They continue to bleed longer than 10 minutes.

I hope this helps!

Do revert back in case of any doubt.