How does HIV affect the Defence system?
HIV gets inside the CD4 cell and makes copies of itself. Then, HIV kills the CD4 cell and the new HIV copies find other CD4 cells to get inside and start the cycle again. HIV kills immune system cells that help the body fight infections and diseases.
Does skin protect against HIV?
Skin: Skin is an excellent barrier against HIV, unless there is an open cut or open wound. Infectious fluid on skin is NOT a route for infection. Mucous membranes in the mouth, throat and stomach: These membranes are good barriers against HIV infection, so long as there are not cuts, ulcers or sores.
What are at least three ways that HIV infection can affect the body?
Untreated HIV / AIDS can cause significant weight loss, often accompanied by diarrhea, chronic weakness and fever. Neurological complications. HIV can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion, forgetfulness, depression, anxiety and difficulty walking.
What are the risk factors for impaired skin integrity?
The following factors may cause a break in skin integrity:
- Chemical skin irritants (e.g., formaldehyde, hair dyes, epoxy, soaps, adhesives)
- Dermatitis, pruritus or itching (e.g., dry skin, allergic reactions)
- Extremes of age.
- Edema.
- Fecal or urinary incontinence.
- History of radiation.
- Hyperthermia or hypothermia.
What is the most common issue that affects skin integrity?
The most common cause of pressure wounds and skin integrity issues is constant pressure to the skin as it gets squeezed against a surface (such as a bed or wheelchair). Continued pressure reduces blood flow to the area, causing injury.
Why is it important to maintain the skin integrity of a client?
Good skin integrity is vital to good health because the skin acts as a barrier to microbes and toxins, as well as physical stressors such as sunlight and radiation. It is well known that the skin loses integrity with the ageing process, and this makes older adults susceptible to pressure injury.
What are primary sources of contamination for skin?
There are seven main sources of contamination of clean operative wounds, namely, instruments, drapes, hands of operating personnel, droplet infection from nose and throat, suture material, air-borne bacteria and organisms in the skin.
What is the main cause of skin breakdown?
Friction, shear, moisture, pressure, and trauma are all causes of skin breakdown. These factors can work together or alone to damage and injure skin. Immobility, poor nutrition, incontinence, medications, hydration, impaired mental status, and loss of sensation are other culprits in skin breakdown.
How do you prevent skin breakdown?
How can I keep my skin healthy?
- Take responsibility for you own skin care.
- Teach children to take responsibility for their own skin care.
- Prevent mechanical Injury.
- Keep skin clean and dry.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Develop a good home rehabilitation program.
- Avoid prolonged pressure on any one spot.
- Use therapeutic surfaces.
What are the three 3 most common types of wound infections?
The most common causative organisms associated with wound infections include Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
What are sources of wound contamination?
Wound contaminants are likely to originate from three main sources: (i) the environment (exogenous microorganisms in the air or those introduced by traumatic injury), (ii) the surrounding skin (involving members of the normal skin microflora such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, micrococci, skin diphtheroids, and …
What increases the risk of skin breakdown?
While pressure is an important cause for pressure sores, edema, low blood flow, drugs used to correct low blood pressure and poor nutrition also increase the risk for skin breakdown. Skin can also be damaged by friction, infections, excessive perspiration and chemical irritation from urine, stool or other secretions.
What does it mean when your skin breaks down?
A pressure sore (also called pressure ulcer, decubitus ulcer, decubiti (plural), bedsore or skin breakdown) is an area of the skin or underlying tissue (muscle, bone) that is damaged due to loss of blood flow to the area.
Why is it important to prevent skin breakdown?
Without food and oxygen, tissue dies and skin breakdown begins. The body tries to compensate by sending more blood to the area. This process results in redness and swelling, places even more pressure on the blood vessels, and further endangers the health of the skin and underlying tissue.
What are causes of skin breakdown?
What is considered broken skin?
Skin fissures are cracks in the skin that form due to intense dryness and thickened skin. Fissures can be shallow or deep, and they may bleed or be painful. In addition to being uncomfortable, fissures can be a precursor to skin ulcers. For this reason, treating skin fissures before they worsen is important.
What are the 4 classifications of wounds?
Definition/Introduction
- Class 1 wounds are considered to be clean. They are uninfected, no inflammation is present, and are primarily closed.
- Class 2 wounds are considered to be clean-contaminated.
- Class 3 wounds are considered to be contaminated.
- Class 4 wounds are considered to be dirty-infected.
What prevents skin breakdown?
Strategies for Preventing Skin Breakdown
- Patient Repositioning and Turning. Bedbound patients require regular turning and repositioning to prevent the formation of pressure injuries.
- Proper Skin Cleaning.
- Proper Nutrition and Fluid Intake.
- Assessment and Documentation.
- Staff Education.
What causes the skin to break out?
Acne is caused when tiny holes in the skin, known as hair follicles, become blocked. Sebaceous glands are tiny glands found near the surface of your skin. The glands are attached to hair follicles, which are small holes in your skin that an individual hair grows out of.
What can be used to prevent skin breakdown?
Positioning Devices. Pillows, towels, and positioning devices can be used to prevent continued pressure on an area of ulceration and as a part of a turning schedule to prevent skin breakdown. Pillow bridging is an excellent and easy way to minimize prolonged tissue compression.
How can I protect my skin from breakdown?
Before beginning your shift
- Step 1 – Wash and dry your skin. Wash your hands, face and behind your ears with soap and water, rinse and dry carefully.
- Step 2 – Hydrate or moisture your skin.
- Step 3 – Protect with a moisture barrier.
- Step 4 – Prepare and apply dressings.
- Step 5 – Apply the PPE.
What are the early signs of skin breakdown?
Pressure is the biggest cause of skin breakdown and sores because it decreases blood flow to the skin.
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Signs of skin problems include:
- reddened or darkened areas.
- swelling.
- any change in the color of the skin.
- raised or hardened areas.
- bruises.
- warm areas felt near a red, dark, raised or hardened area.
- blisters.
- rashes.
What are the 4 types of wounds?
There are four types of open wounds, which are classified depending on their cause.
- Abrasion. An abrasion occurs when your skin rubs or scrapes against a rough or hard surface.
- Laceration. A laceration is a deep cut or tearing of your skin.
- Puncture.
- Avulsion.
How do you treat broken skin?
Cover broken skin with a thin layer of a topical steroid then a thick layer of a cream or ointment. Then, put a wet bandage over the ointment and cover that with a dry bandage. The bandage will help your skin absorb the cream and stay moist. Ask your doctor to show you how to wrap your skin.
How can you prevent impaired skin integrity?
- KEEP THE SKIN CLEAN AND DRY: Clean the skin with a mild soap and warm water and rinse thoroughly. Gently pat dry.
- Apply Lotions and ointments as prescribed- to prevent skin breakdown. This promotes skin integrity.
- Never massage over an area of skin that is reddened or there is skin breakdown.