Comments on: If A Medic Must Give Cpr To Someone Who’s Stopped Breathing; Can He Get Aids If That Guy Is Hiv Positive?

By: Jason G

Jason G — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:34 +0000

There are barriers that can be used to avoid contact with bodily fluids for medics and people who are trained in CPR.

By: RunTellD

RunTellD — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:54:55 +0000

There are precaustionary tools/equipment that the medic can use to protect him/herself from the disease.

By: Dano

Dano — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:38:48 +0000

Most medics will have a barrier on them, which is a device carried around to place between their mouth and the victims mouth. This will stop any transmission of blood or other bodily fluids.

By: MC

MC — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:06:09 +0000

HIV IS NOT SPREAD THROUGH SALIVA
these are the only forms of which HIV can be passed through
1. vaginal fluid
2. semen
3. blood
4. some births
unsure about the herpes

By: just me

just me — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:22:24 +0000

There are special mouth covers or mouth barriers that EMT’s have that protect them. But anyone can get them. I am CPR certified and carry a few in my car, just in case.

By: krieger

krieger — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:52:08 +0000

Get a disease, yes. I’m not sure about HIV specifically (I don’t believe that’s ever happened), but there are other diseases that could be transferred that way. As mentioned, any on duty medic will have a barrier device which should protect from any disease transmission (along with gloves, safety glasses, mask if necessary, etc).
The medic (or any qualified individual, on duty or not) is not legally required to perform rescue breathing without an available barrier device for exactly that reason, though I’m pretty sure most would take the risk. An on duty professional might be liable for not having one though.