World Aids Day Marks Britain’s First Diagnosis
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December 1, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
This year’s World Aids Day also marks 30 years since the first case of AIDS was diagnosed in the UK. Today marks
World Aids Day. Running since 1988, it is observed by many as an opportunity to commemorate those who have died from the disease, whilst also raising funds for continued research into possible cures and treatments.
Today also marks 30 years since Britain made its first diagnosis of the disease.
30 years ago, however, AIDS and HIV diagnoses were seen as death sentences. 30 years on, many accept the disease as a chronic condition, thanks to advances in treatment and anti-retroviral medication.
This week, it was also announced that restrictions on NHS workers with HIV could be relaxed after a review found an “extremely low” risk of the disease being passed on to patients.
Currently, health workers in the UK are not allowed to perform the majority of dental or surgical procedures. England’s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, however, announced that these regulations are to be consulted after advisers said UK restrictions were “out of step” with available evidence.
Research, based on almost 10,000 patients being treated by healthcare workers with the disease, found that the risk of a becoming infected whilst undergoing the most invasive surgeries (hysterectomies and heart operations) was approximately 1 in 5 million.
The risk of a patient contracting the disease when undergoing a less invasive procedure was even less.
Dame Sally Davies reassured people that patient safety would not be jeopardised if the current regulations were to change.
“Patient safety is always our top priority. Our knowledge and understanding and the treatment of HIV have all developed enormously over the last 25 years. It is right that we consider our current guidelines to reflect what the science is telling us about the risk of HIV transmission from healthcare workers to patients,” she said.
Dame Sally also added that consultations regarding the debate will seek wide views and expert advice on whether the proposed changes should be accepted.
Britain is regarded as holding some of the strictest policies on HIV healthcare workers. In France, dentists with HIV are able to fully practice, as long as they are deemed clinically well and the HIV virus cannot be seen in their blood stream under a microscope.
In Israel, dentists with HIV are able to practice on the condition that they are taking regular treatment whilst maintaining an undetectable viral load.
There are approximately 110 healthcare workers in England who are affected by the current guidelines.
By Chloe Nicholas
[Image courtesy of salimfadhley]
