Harm minimisation
Harm minimisation: aims to identify the harms to individuals and society and implement strategies to minimise these harms The primary aim is to help the person to survive their drug use and reduce the damage associated with the drug use. Advocates of harm minimisation do not take a position on whether drug use is intrinsically a good or bad thing; they seek neither to punish nor cure the drug user. This approach accepts that people make choices whether to use drugs or not, and that some will choose to use them, while others will not. The focus remains on preventing harm while a person uses the drug, not on whether they made the right choice. The aim is to change dangerous practices associated with drug use.
DISCLAIMER
All information is for general knowledge and is not personal health care advice. It is not designed to give you a diagnosis or to treat an illness Sexual relationships When caring, all sorts of areas of life are affected in different ways. The one area that receives little, if any, attention is that of sexual relationships. One of the most common questions carers have is whether or not it is safe to have sex with their partner, for example, if their partner is an or has been an IV drug user.
Please see Below.
HOW DO I FIND OUT IF I HAVE HEPATITIS?There are people who are considered to be at higher risk of being infected with hepatitis C and they can be tested for the virus by their doctor or at their nearest Sexual health service.The following people should be offered a Hepatitis C antibody test: · Anyone who has ever injected drugs and current injecting drug users. · People who are currently snorting or smoking drugs, particularly if they have shared pipes or straws. · People who have received blood (before 1991) or blood products (before 1986) and/or organ transplants (before 1992). · People who may have had unsterile medical or dental procedures abroad. · People who are involved in high-risk sexual practices with a person who is Hepatitis C positive (regular partners are at low risk but can be tested if requested). · People who have had ear or body piercing, tattooing or acupuncture with unsterile equipment (particularly prior to the mid 1980’s).· Children born to mothers with Hepatitis C.· Health care workers who have been accidentally exposed. Your doctor will initially test for hepatitis C by taking a sample of your blood, this will show whether you have ever been exposed to hepatitis C. About 25% of people who become infected with hepatitis C will clear the virus in the early stages, however these people will still be positive to this first (Antibody) test. If this test is positive then further tests are required to establish if the virus is still present. In addition, your doctor can also test for the presence and extent of liver disease, which may include additional blood test. If your doctor refuses to test you and you have explained your case then contact your local sexual health centre.
HEPATITIS C – AVOIDING INFECTION?Once you know you are infected with hepatitis C, there are a number of steps you can take to avoid spreading the virus to others. These include not sharing any drug injecting equipment with others, not sharing any personal toiletry items that may have traces of blood on them (for example, toothbrushes, razors, nail or hair clippers) and cleaning up any blood spills carefully using bleach. Women should also avoid sex during their menstrual cycle (or use a condom) and carefully dispose of used sanitary products. Condoms are the best way to reduce the risk of spreading the virus during sex especially if you engage in sexual practices that might cause bleeding.Not donating blood or carrying an organ donor card, and ensuring they’re fully immunized against other types of Hepatitis (A & B). DIAGNOSED WITH HEPATITAS C, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?Anyone who is chronically infected with hepatitis C may benefit from treatment and should talk to their doctor about it, treatment and specialist care is usually provided at your local hospital.
It is important to know however, that treatment can be a challenging process and there are several factors that influence how successful the treatment will be. These factors include the type of hepatitis C virus you have (called a genotype), the amount of the virus you have in your blood, the extent of liver damage and certain characteristics, such as your age, sex and race.
After your doctor has assessed your situation, you can make a decision about whether proceeding with treatment is right for you. If treatment is recommended, it’s important to start the process as soon as possible – it helps prevent further liver damage and sooner rather than later improves your chance for a cure.
Your doctor will also advise you about important changes to your lifestyle habits, including avoiding alcohol and smoking (they speed up liver disease), eating healthy and participating in light but regular exercise.
