Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- 1 Legal systems: a world view
- 2 Scottish legal system
- 3 The Police in the United Kingdom
- 4 The practitioner's obligations
- 5 The doctor in court
- 6 Custody medicine: physical conditions
- 7 Custody medicine: mental illness and psychological conditions
- 8 Substance misuse
- 9 Alcohol, drugs and driving
- 10 Injury
- 11 Child abuse: physical
- 12 Child abuse: sexual
- 13 Adult sexual offences
- 14 Management of at-risk exposures and infection control in custody
- 15 Scenes of crime
- 16 Forensic science
- 17 Forensic dentistry
- 18 Investigation of death
- 19 Dealing with a major disaster
- 20 Occupational health of police officers
- Index
- References
14 - Management of at-risk exposures and infection control in custody
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 August 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- 1 Legal systems: a world view
- 2 Scottish legal system
- 3 The Police in the United Kingdom
- 4 The practitioner's obligations
- 5 The doctor in court
- 6 Custody medicine: physical conditions
- 7 Custody medicine: mental illness and psychological conditions
- 8 Substance misuse
- 9 Alcohol, drugs and driving
- 10 Injury
- 11 Child abuse: physical
- 12 Child abuse: sexual
- 13 Adult sexual offences
- 14 Management of at-risk exposures and infection control in custody
- 15 Scenes of crime
- 16 Forensic science
- 17 Forensic dentistry
- 18 Investigation of death
- 19 Dealing with a major disaster
- 20 Occupational health of police officers
- Index
- References
Summary
Introduction
This chapter provides information on the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – collectively referred to as blood-borne viruses (BBVs) – in risk groups, identifies the risks of specific body fluids and the routes of transmission. It further acts as a guide to the immediate management of at-risk exposures from BBVs both for the recipient and the contact, and any follow-up management this may entail. It will also cover some basic infection control guidance that will be helpful in the safe and practical day-to-day running of a custody suite. Although not exhaustive, it aims to cover the more commonly raised concerns and how best they should be managed.
Prevalence of BBVs: at-risk groups, body fluids and routes of transmission
Hepatitis B
Around 350 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B and are therefore at risk of developing chronic liver disease. There are around 180000 people in this category in the UK. In general the world can be divided into three broad areas by prevalence of chronic infection (Table 14.1). About 75% of the world's population live in areas of high prevalence.
The virus can be transmitted through contact with body fluids (blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids, sweat, breast milk and any other if bloodstained) via percutaneous or mucosal exposure. In areas of high prevalence, infection most commonly occurs perinatally or in early childhood. In areas of intermediate prevalence, needle sharing, acupuncture, tattooing and body piercing are also important modes of transmission.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Clinical Forensic Medicine , pp. 155 - 170Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009