Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. What must a care giver do first before attempting this huge responsibility of caring for a family member with AIDS?
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
A few suggestions come to mind:
Contact a local HIV community-baed organization to gain materials and education, and to provide yourself with some sense of support. Many of them have support groups for HIV-impacted family members.
Educate yourself as much as you can. Caregivers do NOT acquire HIV from the persons they take care of, as long as basic precautions are followed (see weblink below).
Look at this as a great way to exercise your own compassion!
Good luck!
Mark Katz, MD
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/brochure/careathome.htm
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ASKD050323
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