For many years HIV infection or AIDS was
a death sentence. It was not until the highly active antiretroviral
medications were discovered, that HIV virus and the diseases
it causes began to be viewed as a chronic illness rather that
a death sentence. Since it was first identified in the 1980s,
researchers and clinicians have increased our knowledge of
HIV and its diseases. The massive public health effort to
increase knowledge about HIV transmission and effective ways
to protect oneself from infection, have helped to reduce the
fear that initially gripped the US.
Public Health Service literature
has helped to disseminate information on HIV/AIDS. US Public
Health Service, 1987. Courtesy of National Library of Medicine.
The State of Washington has a legal requirement
that certain identified workers have training related to HIV
and AIDS. Selection of topics may be made to meet specific
licensing boards' requirements. Unless otherwise specified,
all six topic areas must be covered for the 7-hour licensing
requirements. Topic areas I, II, V, and VI must be covered
for the 4-hour licensing requirements and for non-licensed
health care facility employees (who have no specific hourly
requirements). There is also a 2 hour requirement for some
workers. Please consult the Department of Licensing at (360)
236-4700 with specific questions about hourly requirements
or call the Department of Health's HIV/AIDS Hotline for referral
at: 800-272-2437.
In 2007 the Know HIV Prevention Education:
An HIV and AIDS Curriculum Manual for Health Care Employees,
6th Edition, developed by the Washington State Department
of Health, M. Selecky, Secretary, was revised. The online
course you are now taking utilizes this curriculum but also
includes updated statistics and additional information in
order to provide current, accurate information to the learner.
This course meets the requirements of Washington State for
HIV 2-hour training. It contains the required Parts 1, 2,
5 and 6 of the required information.
Part 1. Etiology and epidemiology
of HIV and AIDS
- Definition of HIV, AIDS
- How HIV works in the body
- Reported HIV cases, reported AIDS cases in US and Washington
State
Part 2. Transmission and Infection
Control
- Transmission of HIV
- Behaviors that increase risk of HIV transmission
- Infection control precautions
- Factors affecting risk of transmission
- Risk for transmission to healthcare workers
- Other factors affecting transmission
- Risk reduction
- Bloodborne pathogens requirements
- Universal/Standard Precautions and Infection Control
- Reporting of on-the-job exposure
- Post-exposure prophylaxis
- Infection control in other settings
Part 3. Testing and Counseling
(Part 3. is NOT covered in this 2 hour HIV course.)
- Types of HIV testing
- HIV test information
- "Window period"
- Pre-test counseling
- Post-test counseling
- Recommendations for testing related to sexual assault
- Partner notification
Part 4. Clinical Manifestations
and Treatment (Part 4. is NOT covered
in this 2 hour HIV course.)
- Natural history of HIV infection
- AIDS case definition
- AIDS indicator conditions
- How HIV works in the body
- New drug therapies
- Case management/resources
- Tuberculosis and HIV
- Other sexually transmitted diseases and HIV
- Hepatitis B and HIV
- Hepatitis C and HIV
- Comparison Chart of HIV, HBV and HCV
Part 5. Ethical and Legal Issues
- Reporting requirements
- Confidentiality requirements
- Disability and discrimination
- Behaviors endangering the public
Part 6. Psychosocial Issues
- Personal impact
- The human response to death and dying
- Caregiver issues
- Select populations
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