POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: AaronbytheC on August 09, 2010, 11:54:35 am
-
As a HIV newbie, I had an interesting experience happen this weekend. I was working on our house, barefoot like a dumb-ass, and I cut my foot. ::) Leaving a blood trail behind me, I hobbled into the bathroom and my husband went got me our first-aid kit to clean and bandage it. By the time I got it all under control had bled quite a bit. I was seeing all of this blood and started to freak out a little. (He is neg and this is the first time since I found out I'm poz that we've had to deal with blood.) I started telling my husband to leave, but his wouldn't... It was a very uncomfortable feeling! :-\
I think I've educated myself pretty well about transmission and know he was in no danger being in the room as I bled. I guess it just got me thinking what if ??? If I had really needed his help with the bleeding we had no gloves to protect him from my blood.
For sure I'm going to have to get a better prepared first-aid kit now, but other than gloves do any of you keep anything additional in your first-aid?
-
Various sizes of bandages and wraps; neosporin, scissors, advil/aspirin, some other odds and ends -- it was actually a kit that came with my Nissan Xterra a few years back. I've adapted it for home use.
-
I saw antibacterial hand gel in the shop the other day, 1/2 price. The label put in bold that it kills retroviruses including HIV, HBV, etc etc. I thought this was a bit funny so I bought it. Don't know how I would use it or if its even practical to have but anyway.
Oh, I have a box of latex gloves around the house always. And not because I fist just because they are handy and cheap and disposable for all sorts of little home projects. So I guess in a pinch.
But really, how much is there to be afraid of? I think this is psychological fear.
-
Aaron, unless he also had a fresh cut that he had just gotten at the same time you were injured and got your blood directly into his fresh, bleeding cut, then you don't need to worry about it. But it is a good idea to have some latex gloves in your kit, for peace of mind if nothing else. Wearing gloves when attending to a person's cuts is more hygienic anyway and always a good idea for both people's protection.
-
I usually start with Scotch and Vicodin. Then reassess the problem ;D
-
But really, how much is there to be afraid of? I think this is psychological fear.
mecch, I'll be the first to admit that! ;D
@ Ann: I agree, logically he was in no danger I just wasn't feeling logical at that moment. ;)
I'll get better psychologically about this with time. In the mean time I'm adding gloves to the blue box! ;D
-
A big fat doobie.
-
I'm too hardcore to own a first aid kit. Plus I have a 24-hr. Rite Aid four blocks away.
-
I'm too hardcore to own a first aid kit. Plus I have a 24-hr. Rite Aid four blocks away.
You could bleed to death in four blocks.
-
You could bleed to death in four blocks.
I've got some soiled t-shirts I could tie around my leg, plus I could always get Manhunt contacts to rescue me. Either that or the gay Brazilian boy in Apartment #3.
-
I've got some soiled t-shirts I could tie around my leg, plus I could always get Manhunt contacts to rescue me. Either that or the gay Brazilian boy in Apartment #3.
Well, I'll certainly sleep easier now, knowing that.
-
A good first aid kit should contain:
Gloves,
Bandages of assorted sizes
Sterile Gauze
An antiseptic such as iodine pads, alcohol pads
Tweezers (fine point)
Hydrogen Peroxide (not for deep cuts, but for surface abrasions)
I do not recommend keeping medicine in your first aid kit in your home. It's likely to go bad and it's expesnive. Instead, keep the appropriate pain relievers in your home. Check with your doctor as to what is appropriate for your particular health conditions, medicines, and locale. for example, tylenol is on my no-no list because of it's impact on the liver.
You should also keep a "oops kit" in your house. This would be some rubber gloves, bleach, and paper towels. Doesn't necessarily have to be dedicated. Bleach is sufficient to disinfect HIV. If you have Hep C your virus is a little more aggressive and you need to check into what is an adequeat disinfectant. One drop of Hep C in a needle after a week at room temperature is still infectious according to what I understand.
If you do not have a first aid kit, you can pick up the bare necessities at WalMart for under $15. A "kit" is about $9 and has a small plastic box.
http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-First-Safe-Travels-Pack/dp/B001E96M3K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1281374199&sr=8-2
to the basic kit I would add:
- box of bandaids $3
- bottle of alchohol and hyrdogen peroxide (99c/ea)
- Package of 10 latex gloves. Please date these as they do go bad. Should be replaced annually.
- Plastic container for all of the above.
Really nice kit would include:
- Scissors ($1.50 variety will work fine, just need to be sturdy)
- Medical tape (one small roll is fine)
- ACE Bandage
- Razor Blade (single edge is fine, but a small knife is better)
If the kit is primarily for you and your family, I would add a small index card with important numbers such as your doctor, insurance company, and any chronic conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, etc. This will keep them handy and remind you about potential issues.
That is an example of one I have. They sell it as a 2 pack on Amazon. I keep one in the truck and one in the house.
I also recommend that you take a basic CPR course that includes first aid. These are free or low cost in most areas.
I also keep a pocket mask in my truck, boat, and home/office.
http://www.amazon.com/ADC-4053-ADSAFE-Pocket-Rescusitator/dp/B000WHPVC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1281374253&sr=1-1
A pocket mask helps deliver effective breaths in a rescue breathing situation. A pocket mask kit also has gloves and a alchohol pad in it.
Lastly, I'll tell you something that was told to me by my first aid instructor:
She said," I've been a nurse for 25 years. Up until the early 90's we didn't use gloves, masks, or glasses. We handled blood on a daily basis and in the ER it was everywhere. We didn't have a problem with infections."
That was her response to being asked what the real risk was in rendering aid to someone who was bleeding when we didn't have gloves. She is a RN.
I personally have taken CPR, Basic First Aid, Emergency Oxygen, Advanced Emergency Oxygen, Hazardous Marine Life First Aid, and a course called Rescue Diver which teaches you how to respond to and rescue someone who is paniced or drown in the water. I hope to never ever need my training, but I also want to be prepared in case someone I care about has a problem.
I've used it my training twice this year. Once to help someone at a friend's party. The victim had swallowed something wrong and was choking. Easy enough to help the guy get the obstruction out. The other time a close friend of mine experienced a panic attack and I remained calm and talked to him and dealt with it. Only halfway through his panic attack did I realize what was going on and that I had been handling it properly. That's the idea of training is to prepare you for something you hope doesn't happen.
-
My first aid kit contains- A guaze bandage that has to date back to the 70's. It's in a big box covered with dust, and it was one of the few things my step dad left me. It also has some kind of salt stick that I think was once used in Vietnam. Some of the band-aids don't stick anymore either.... I also have an Ace bandage without the little clips.
-
I usually start with Scotch and Vicodin. Then reassess the problem ;D
Marco you would have been in luck...
I didn't go into details but I was actually moving the under counter refrigerator in our bar when I cut myself... There was over 50 bottles of alcohol within reaching distance! ;D
-
I saw antibacterial hand gel in the shop the other day, 1/2 price. The label put in bold that it kills retroviruses including HIV, HBV, etc etc. I thought this was a bit funny so I bought it. Don't know how I would use it or if its even practical to have but anyway.
My mind boggles. Are they suggesting that you cleanse your hands after touching an infected person. Or maybe to prevent HIV you use it like a spermicide lube.
-
My mind boggles. Are they suggesting that you cleanse your hands after touching an infected person. Or maybe to prevent HIV you use it like a spermicide lube.
Not at all. I bought it out of gallows humour! I can't imagine an application having to do with HIV.
HOwever, I gave a bottle to a friend and he used it that very day, cause he was collecting stray bird feathers on his farm and then his boyfriend brought us cocktails and we didn't feel like going to wash our hands...
And then since we were stoned we all marveled at the Hospital smell on our hands in the middle of the field. And how important it was to note that if we had to do open cavity surgery right then in the field, we had to wash our hands with the gel for a full 2 minutes. We wondered if that was a stressing thought or a comforting one.
-
A tax payer subsidised crack pipe and a roll of 3 ply lav paper.
MtD
-
If only I were that organised - first aid kit!?
-
My mind boggles. Are they suggesting that you cleanse your hands after touching an infected person. Or maybe to prevent HIV you use it like a spermicide lube.
Hopefully to sanitize your hands prior to rendering aid.
-
This class of bandage is becoming very popular.
http://kytostat.com/AboutKytoStat.aspx (http://kytostat.com/AboutKytoStat.aspx)
Simple airway management ( oropharyngeal airway) equipment is good to have as well. The learning curve for these is really easy and the return can be enormous in an emergency.
-
I own one but it is in the armrest of the backseat of my car, last time I looked all the bandaids were melted together and the ointments had evaporated :-\
-Will
-
I own one but it is in the armrest of the backseat of my car, last time I looked all the bandaids were melted together and the ointments had evaporated :-\
-Will
I'm thinking about starting a sex first aid kit --- lube, condoms, scissors, porn dvd, kleenex, tokens, blindfold, deodorant..... let's see, what else..???
-
I've been recently infected and have thought the same thoughts... The main difference bet your situation and mine is that my partner has HIV as well but there's the "what if" something happens in public and god forbid you get into an accident...
What and how do we handle the situation and what should we carry with or on us at all times for preventative measures? :)
-
What and how do we handle the situation and what should we carry with or on us at all times for preventative measures? :)
Condoms and lube, and that's pretty much it. You can't go around armed with bleach and gloves at all times just on the off-chance that you may cut yourself. If you read the whole thread, you'll know that intact skin is an effective barrier to hiv and only very fresh cuts on the hands of the person helping you would present any danger. You're not going to infect anyone through casual contact, so relax.
-
I'm thinking about starting a sex first aid kit --- lube, condoms, scissors, porn dvd, kleenex, tokens, blindfold, deodorant..... let's see, what else..???
Scissors? ???
-
Scissors? ???
That's in case he needs them to cut someone's knickers off. Or cut the rope. (he forgot to list the rope)
-
That's in case he needs them to cut someone's knickers off. Or cut the rope. (he forgot to list the rope)
Ann got it right on both accounts!!! ;D
-
That's in case he needs them to cut someone's knickers off.
Really? I just rip them off with my teeth.
People have some funny habits. ::)
-
Really? I just rip them off with my teeth.
People have some funny habits. ::)
My dentist warned me against that practice. So scissors it is! Or a hunting knife. That always works too. :)
-
My dentist warned me against that practice. So scissors it is! Or a hunting knife. That always works too. :)
I worry too much about having a bad experience with the hunting knife -- might end up ruining the whole evening if I cut the wrong thing off ;)
-
My dentist warned me against that practice. So scissors it is! Or a hunting knife. That always works too. :)
Oh, I thought they just dropped on their own in your presence. ;)
-
I'm too hardcore to own a first aid kit. Plus I have a 24-hr. Rite Aid four blocks away.
A tax payer subsidised crack pipe and a roll of 3 ply lav paper.
MtD
We could also keep some nice poppers, a few water proof condoms to kill boredom, and a "disclosure kit" for whenever you bring tricks to the pad.
-
We could also keep some nice poppers, a few water proof condoms to kill boredom, and a "disclosure kit" for whenever you bring tricks to the pad.
Of course the disclosure kit would have to include a digital video camera with spare memory cards to record the disclosure. And legal forms for them to sign attesting to the fact that they consented to sex with a pozzy. And maybe record the act as well. You know, just for posterity's sake.
-
Of course the disclosure kit would have to include a digital video camera with spare memory cards to record the disclosure. And legal forms for them to sign attesting to the fact that they consented to sex with a pozzy. And maybe record the act as well. You know, just for posterity's sake.
You could alternatively go the other route and provide roofies so that they wouldn't even remember the act. I mean it's all up to personal choice.
-
You could alternatively go the other route and provide roofies so that they wouldn't even remember the act. I mean it's all up to personal choice.
Nope. I like my men (and women) to be conscious when I have sex with them. Roofie sex = necrophilia.
-
You could alternatively go the other route and provide roofies so that they wouldn't even remember the act. I mean it's all up to personal choice.
Nope. I like my men (and women) to be conscious when I have sex with them. Roofie sex = necrophilia.
That would totally pointless to a big ol' bottom like Ms. Trey. As far as I know there ain't much he'd be able to do if his macho man is completely out of it and with a limp noodle.