See also:
Adolescent Health Care - Sexuality and Contraception
Rape Victim Treatment
Health Education
Child Abuse
Adolescents, Protecting: Ensuring Access to Care and Reporting Sexual Activity and Abuse
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Blood Borne Infections, Prevention and Control
In view of the current epidemic of HIV, STDs, and blood borne infections sweeping the world, the AAFP recognizes the need for intensified public and professional education which will result in increased awareness, proper diagnosis, effective prevention, treatment and prompt reporting with appropriate confidentiality to achieve the proper epidemiological investigation and treatment to stem the tide of these infections.
The AAFP endorses and encourages the following HIV, STDs and blood borne infections prevention strategies:
1. The most effective strategies to prevent sexual transmission are abstinence and the maintenance of life-long mutually monogamous relationship with one uninfected partner. For individuals choosing to be sexually active in other situations, the following are generally effective for infections transmitted through bodily fluids:
The AAFP endorses and encourages the following HIV, STDs and blood borne infections prevention strategies:
1. The most effective strategies to prevent sexual transmission are abstinence and the maintenance of life-long mutually monogamous relationship with one uninfected partner. For individuals choosing to be sexually active in other situations, the following are generally effective for infections transmitted through bodily fluids:
- Engaging in sexual activities that do not involve or lead to vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse;
- Having intercourse with one uninfected partner;
- Using latex and other effective condoms in a correct manner from the start to finish of every episode of intercourse or other sexual contact;
2. Prevention of blood-borne infection by:
- Appropriate immunization;
- Safe blood banking, transfusion services and organ donor services. Deferral of donation by persons at risk for or with blood borne infections;
- Avoidance of accidental inoculation and exposures by the use of universal precautions
- Avoiding use of contaminated needles;
- Reduction of contaminated needles in circulation by the development of regulated needle exchange programs;
- Treatment and treatment programs when considered curative or effective in reducing transmission.
3. The reduction of congenital and perinatal infection with appropriate detection and treatment of infected individuals and their partners and the proscription of breastfeeding when appropriate and safe for the infant.
The AAFP believes that in any program for detection and treatment of HIV, STDs and blood borne infections, the emphasis should be directed towards the family physician and other primary care physicians for initial diagnosis and treatment. (1971)(2006)
The AAFP believes that in any program for detection and treatment of HIV, STDs and blood borne infections, the emphasis should be directed towards the family physician and other primary care physicians for initial diagnosis and treatment. (1971)(2006)
