I have been asked to provide some respite care for a young child who is infected with HIV. As I have other children in my home, what preparations I should make?

F.K.

HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) is not transmitted by casual contact. There is very little, if any, risk of transmission of the virus thorough sharing of toilet seats and other household items. HIV can be spread through contact with contaminated blood or other body fluids. There have been rare cases reported where transmission has occurred in a household without any sexual contact. These cases have generally involved blood or other fluids contaminated with blood coming into contact with open sores or cuts.

I would like to know how ill the young child is, because the higher the levels of HIV in his or her blood, the greater the potential for infecting others. I would also like to know exactly what kind of care you will be giving. If you are caring for wounds and/or if you are dealing with blood and other body fluids, you should observe several precautions. You should wear gloves when you could come into contact with blood or other fluids. You should wear goggles if there is a risk of splashing of these fluids into your eyes. If, despite these precautions, you do have any contact with blood or body fluids, you should wash the area thoroughly. If you or the child have any open sores or cuts, they should be kept covered.

While it is very unlikely that sharing of drinking glasses or toothbrushes pose a risk, I would avoid these practices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent publication that describes HIV risks and prevention techniques in the household environment. It also outlines potential risks in for other common settings, such as the workplace. I urge you to look at it.