lesV BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS
AN OVERVIEW
 

==FEEDING SAFETY and SANITY==

The danger is real. Everyone who engages in bloodletting activities owes it to themselves and thier partners to do it as safely as possible and to educate themselves about potential dangers. Need it be said vampires are not immune to disease, nor death for that matter. There are a lot of nasty pathogens out there. The urge to feed can be a very compelling imperative. But please, never allow yourself to become reckless or get into the "it can never happen to me" mindset.

Both parties should get their blood tested before any other activities, yes the vamp too, the blood drinker might be at a higher risk level but pathogens can be passed in both directions. Everyone engaging in bloodletting outside an exclusive monogamous relationship should have themselves tested at invervals, every six months being the recommended minimum. The easiest no cost way to do this is to donate blood. They'll test a blood-sample for a wide set of diseases and abnormalities and let you know if anything is amiss. Many clinics also offer free blood tests; you'll have to check what services are available in your local area. It's your responsibility to inquire if your donor -who will of course be a consenting adult- is on any medications or has any medical history that may make donoring undesireable.

Cleanliness and sterility are other important basics. Simple washing, or lack thereof is a big factor in the spread of diseases like hepatitis A. When it comes to bloodletting, always do it with a sterile instrument and disinfect the site beforehand with an antiseptic on gauze or cotton and scrub (the idea is to reduce the number of surface bacteria). Afterwards, clean it again with an antiseptic, apply an antibiotic ointment and a sterile bandage as needed. For more info on this:  Needful Things

Another matter that's too seldom mentioned is oral hygiene. There's a level of irony in the routine of disinfecting a spot and then putting your mouth onto it. Mouths are very germy so for heavens sake clean yours before drinking blood from an open wound. Use a disinfectant mouthwash but don't brush your teeth immediately before drinking to avoid the possibility of bleeding gums. Get your teeth cleaned a couple of extra times a year, its better for everyone and you'll have nice pearly white fangs to flash.


Below are some of the pathogens most likely to be of concern in bloodletting activities. The list is by no means all-inclusive. Each is summarised with links below it to more in-depth information about the subject.

==AIDS and HIV==  

HIV is the virus that causes a severe immune deficiency and can lead to AIDS and other opportunistic diseases. It is transmitted through blood and body fluids, broken skin and mucous membranes. Don't assume that its safe to drink blood from a person infected by HIV because stomach acids destroy the virus. It can enter your body by contaminated blood coming into contact with a tiny break in the skin such as may be found in your mouth, throat or bleeding gums. There are treatments for HIV/AIDS but no cure. It has a high fatality rate. Anyone who has tested positive for HIV cannot be a blood donor. A sang vamp who is HIV positive should not feed directly mouth to wound.

StopHIV
CDC HIV Page
Emedince AIDs Overveiw
Self Testing Kit

==HEPATITIS==

Currently there are 5 identified strains of the hepatitis virus, which cause hepatitis liver disease.

Hepatitis A is spread through feces and unsanitary conditions of contaminated food and water and can be prevented through good hygiene, especially handwashing. Once it has run its course, you cannot be reinfected or pass it on to others. However, if you contracted it past the age of 11 yrs. old, you are not recommended to be a (patient) blood donor so it's a judgement call on the part of a sang vamp feeding. There is a vaccine available in a series of 2 doses, 6 months apart. Hep E is spread similarly to A, except it may also be found in the feces of animals. It is uncommon in the US.

Hepatitis B,C & D are blood and body fluid borne viruses and once acquired, may be acute or chronic. Hep B may be curable; Hep C is treatable but not curable yet. Hepatitis C is of particular concern. Rarely transmitted by sex, it's primarily passed on by blood contact. Hep C's commonest route of transmission is the sharing of hypodermic needles. Needles, blades or sharps should never be used on more than one person. Hep C is a potentialy life threatening disease which can cause liver failure and there is no vaccine. Hepatitis D is a less common form of hepatitis and found only in patients who already have Hepatitis B. It may be acquired at the same time or later. Per the literature, anyone who has tested positive for any of these is not recommended to be a (patient) blood donor. A sang vamp with acute or chronic Hep B, C or D should not feed directly mouth to wound from a donor. A hepatitis vaccine is available for hepatitis B, in a series of 3 doses over a 6 month period. 1-3 months after that, you need to have a titer drawn to see if you've developed antibodies. If not, you'll need another dose and another titer drawn. Hep B vaccine may also be helpful in preventing other forms of hepatitis. People who have Hep B or C may be more susceptible to HIV viral infection.

CDC-Hepatitis
HepatitisCentral
HepNet

==SYPHILIS==

Syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact, or an oral lesion caused by the disease. It can be tested for via blood test. It is treatable and curable. Once someone has tested positive they will always test positive; however there are tests which will show the person is no longer infectious. A person with untreated syphilis should not be a blood donor. A sang vamp with untreated syphilis should not feed mouth to wound.

NIAID Factsheet on Syphillis

==HERPES==

Herpes is a virus that may present genitally or orally. It is only transmittable from the site of infection. For people with chronic herpes, there are suppressant treatments but no cure. A sang vamp with an oral herpes lesion (commonly called cold sore) or any kind of oral lesion should not feed directly mouth to wound. Be aware that herpes may be contagious for a period before and after the actual lesion.

Herpes.Com
NIAID Factsheet on Herpes

==TUBERCULOSIS==

Tuberculosis is caused by an airborne bacterium from an actively infected person in close contact. It can be tested for via a skin test. If the person has a positive skin test but no active medical evidence of TB, they may donate. Once a person has a positive skin test, it will always be positive; instead an annual questionnaire for symptoms is recommended. If they are taking medication for prophylaxis, they should wait until after completion of the medication to donate, which is usually six months. If they are being treated for the disease, vamp or donor, they should wait until they are declared noninfectious.

CDC Factsheet on TB

==MRSA STAPH==

MRSA, an antibiotic resistent staph "super-bug" bacteria is now becoming prevalent outside the traditional settings of hospitals, prisons and nursing homes. It's now being found in gyms and locker rooms and may be spread by physical contact with an infected person or by touching inanimate objects like towels, linens, razors, or equipment contaminated with the bacteria. Since treatment options are limited and an infection can be devastating, the focus is on prevention. This is one more area where proper hygiene, cleaning and aftercare is a must.

MRSA Watch

==SEPSIS==

Sepsis is a serious medical condition resulting from a severe fulminating infection, usually spread through the blood stream (in the old days, this was known as blood poisoning). It can cause shock, multi-organ failure and death if not treated in time, and it can happen rather rapidly. The cause can be a number of pathogens including bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, prions, and viroids, entering the body. In this case, the risk of infection would be through a wound. It's preventable by proper hygiene, cleaning and sterilization techniques. All donors should be aware of the signs of infection both at the site of the wound, and systemically as well, including fever or even an abnormal drop in body temperature, tachycardia, hyperventilation and disorientation well after the fact. Get the heck to an emergency room!

Seticemia
Infection

==TETANUS==

Tetanus has been rare in our society lately and we no longer have mandatory tetanus shots past gradeschool. OSHA mandates up to date tetanus shots for people in certain heightened risk trades, such as metalworkers. It stands to reason that our "idiosyncracies" put us at least at a similar level of risk. It's a myth that rusty nails give you tetanus, though the tetanus bacteria can be present on metal that has been contaminated. Tetanus bacteria is commonly found in soil and manure especially in less developed areas. It's transmitted by breaks in the skin so any cut with metal is a possible source of infection. If you're going to engage in bloodletting activities you and your partner should make a point of having up to date tetanus shots. The vaccine for tetanus is safe and effective.

Tetanus


FOR MORE INFORMATION

Centers for Disease Control
AIDS Education Global Information System
Ashastd
On STDs


~Drink and Be Well~

Imon and Blacklight 2006
www.lesvampires.org   


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