Suspects with HIV or AIDS

[metallicat]

I understand there are drugs of some sort to deal with an HIV infection from a suspect. Can someone outline this treatment, and is it 100% effective after being infected? Can you still work as a police officer while undergoing this trreatment?

[zander_zye]

There is a pile of drugs (cocktail) that they can give to you if you infected by someone with HIV or full blown AIDS. It is not 100%, - I do not know the actual stats, but I would surmise that the drugs are less than effective in some, and more in others.

Yes - you can continue to work. Yes, you would file a WC claim. Yes, I know of at least one Deputy who died as a result of a bite from an HIV infected inmate. He received the cocktail within 12 hours but died 6 years later as a result of the disease. The department tried to say that his AIDS wasn't job related, but lost the case.

[metallicat]

That's awful though. The reason I was asking is because I was watching To Serve and Protect and the suspect was HIV +, so this question came to mind...thanks.

[Switchback]

Everyone I deal with is HIV+... at least that's the way I treat them.

I had a subject spit in my face a few years back and then it happened, more recently, to a friend. In both instances, the appropriate Workman's Comp paperwork was filled out and a court order was obtained to do a workup on the presences of any contagious illnesses. The said courtorder was also very useful in determining what level of charges to put on the guy!

[zander_zye]

If you are afraid of working with people with HIV, then you are choosing the wrong profession. (same with nursing and being a doctor, you put yourself in harms way, if you can't take the heat, then find another job).

I have taken numerous HIV/AIDS and other contagious disease courses. After these classes, I am much more worried about TB (that stays airbourne for a long time).

[metallicat]

Oh I am not afraid it, I just know it is another risk of being a police officer.

[FutureSLPD]

Im sure most people know its no way in the world you can get HIV or Aids from a infected person spitting on your or spitting in your mouth or whatever...

[zander_zye]

Although there is a chance, it is highly unlikely. I used to date a Biologist (full PhD - oh what a fun date - NOT!). and she told me that in order to get it, you have to have a certain amount of "particles". I guess if someone spit at you and you had an open sore, you might get infected. Additionally, in a non-anal heterosexual act, a man is more likely to give it to a woman or vice versa. In the United States, the only reason that homosexual men were one of the first people to be affected was because the nature of anal sex and the fact that there are no natural filters in the anus that a women has in her vagina.

I hate it when people say AIDS is gods scurge on the homosexual population. If that were true, then how come the vast majority of AIDS infected people are heterosexual?

[txinvestigator1]

AIDS is not just an STD. It is also highly present among IV drug users.

There was also a time that the blood supplies were not screened for the AIDS/HIV virus. Many people were infected through blood transfusions.

[sorrel]

There were also many heath care workers that were also infected before they were aware of AIDS.

Not that it is not a continued threat for those in heath care, I think it is less of a threat for them then for a officer.

The ppl they treat are not out to infect them out of spite, of course there are always exceptions I suppose.

[mcsap]

I don't buy your thinking FutureSLPD . There may be a less likely chance involving spitting or bodily fluids but such an offense is a FELONY in PA. Hmmmmmmmmm, there must be a reason that they passed such a law.

[EXCOP2000]

What always surprises me when watching an episode or two of "COPS" is how many officers pat down and search pockets on suspects while not wearing gloves. WEAR GLOVES!!! I had the kind that were lined with a kevlar type material that was supposed to protect from needle sticks. If the suspect is bleeding put rubber gloves underneath the duty gloves!!! Also allow EMT's to do there job. If I could avoid contact with a bloody suspect I always would let the EMT's clean and patch them up or transport to the hospital ASAP, while making sure if they tried to pull anything I would step in. I know a female officer who got stuck by a needle after asking a druggie if he had any needles in his pocket. He of course said No, and she got stuck. She took the cocktail but he was negative I think. Get hepatitis shots also! Protect and look out for yourself...this job demands it!!!

[Jynkxxie]

http://www.policemag.com/t_cipick.cfm?rank=87887

Check this link...it is not the most informative out there, but I found it to answer some of my questions....

FYI, In the reading that I have done, and with various discussions with the doctors that I know....Women have an 8x greater chance of catching HIV/AIDS than their male counterpart...

[elisa8002]

If your infected with HIV you are HIV +, the cocktail drug your referring to keeps the T- Cell count high. There is no drug to crue and or rid your system of the infection.