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#1 Posted : 23 October 2003 10:02:00(UTC)
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Posted By Marcus Pereira

I'm looking for information on which (if any) immunisations should be given to cleaners working in toilets - risk of contact with bodily fluids etc.

Are there guidelines I have missed?
What are others doing?

Thanks in advance,
Marcus.
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#2 Posted : 23 October 2003 12:00:00(UTC)
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Posted By Neil Pearson
Others may correct me, but my understanding is that you don't give such people jabs unless there is a specific reason to suspect the presence of a particular biological agent. In normal circumstances this wouldn't apply.
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#3 Posted : 23 October 2003 12:28:00(UTC)
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Posted By Marcus Pereira
Thank you to those who responded direct - the new doc from HSE has answered all the points we were looking

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/infection.pdf

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#4 Posted : 23 October 2003 12:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By Doug Russell
I presume the immunisation you refer to is for Hepatitis B. There are no other vaccines available for other infections from bodily fluids. HSE has a useful guide to blood-borne viruses - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg342.pdf

For most cleaners normal hygiene procedures - covering wounds or cuts, wearing gloves, overalls or aprons, etc. should provide a sufficient barrier to infection. In some circumstances face protection might also be needed. The really difficult hazard for cleaners in e.g. public toilets is needlestick injuries from used syringes. Most experts seem to think the risk is still to low to justify HBV vaccination, but there should be training in procedures to minimise risk and dispose of needles safely and awareness about the importance of immediate treatment if there is a puncture injury.
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