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Posted on: July 24, 2019
MASSAGE THERAPY AND HIV
If you’re considering a career as a licensed massage therapist and concerned about working with HIV-infected clients, this article is for you. According to hiv.gov, nearly 2 million individuals in the U.S. are currently living with the disease. And even more alarming, 1 in 7 people do not realize they have contracted the disease. Given this statistical data, it is not too difficult to see why the fear of contracting the disease as a result of working with an infected client could lead some to reconsider this career choice. Fortunately, when working with an HIV-infected client, there are several things that you, as a licensed massage therapist, can do to minimize your risk of contracting the disease.
HOW TO AVOID HIV INFECTION AS A MASSAGE THERAPIST
A career in massage therapy can expose you to people from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds, which can add a lot of variety to your workday. However, there is a downside in that the job you love can potentially expose you to certain diseases like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), for example. Along with contributing to a compromised immune system, HIV can lead to a wide range of health problems. Some of the best ways to minimize your risk of infection while also protecting your client's health include
- Wash your hands thoroughly before massaging the client.
- If your client has any cuts or open wounds, you will want to avoid these areas during the massage.
- If you have any cuts or open wounds that may come in contact with the client, you should cover them before starting the massage.
- Avoid working with clients when you're sick, which eliminates the possibility of spreading germs that they may not be able to fend off as a result of their weakened immune system.
Obviously, this list is not all-encompassing; moreover, it is a list of some of the most effective ways to protect against the transmission of HIV while working with HIV infected clients.
