The CDC, however, does not specify how long the virus can survive in those conditions. The United States’ Centre for Disease Control (CDC) says HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces), and it cannot reproduce outside a human host. It will survive until that blood or body fluid dries.” Mugurungi says there have not been studies on the exact time the virus survives outside the body but says “for HIV to survive outside the human body it has to be in the blood or body fluids. “Some 20 years ago we warned people about the risk of transmitting HIV through razor blades and barber equipment and we took a decision that people sterilize using alcohol and now most barber shops use spirit to sterilize their equipment,” he says. Owen Mugurungi, says the risk of contracting HIV with sharp instruments is high, especially when there is a cut. This has been attributed to strategies that have included prevention methods such as practicing safe sex, sticking to one partner and knowing one’s status, among others.Ĭan unsterilized hair clippers infect people with HIV?ĭirector of the AIDS and Tuberculosis unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr. However, since 2010, new infections have decreased by 49% and AIDS-related deaths by 45%. Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence rate peaked at 29% in 1999 and decreased to 14.5% by 2016, with 1.3 million people living with HIV.Īccording to UNAIDS, Zimbabwe had 40000 new HIV infections and 30 000 AIDS-related deaths in 2016. Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence has declined from a peak of 29 percent in 1999 to 14.5 percent in 2016, according to UNAIDS data (Blood and virus detection on barber clippers. Hepatitis B was detected with enough DNA copies to pose a risk of transmitting infection. The conclusion from the study was that there is significant contamination of barber hair clippers with blood and blood-borne viruses, with 42% of the clippers contaminated. One clipper from each barber was collected immediately after it had been used for a clean-shave haircut. To do this, fifty barbers from three townships in Cape Town were invited to participate. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of barber hair clipper contamination with blood, HIV and hepatitis B viruses. This claim was said to be corroborating findings from a report that has been published following a study carried out by the Hair and Skin Research Laboratory at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, led by Prof Nonhlanhla Khumalo. National Aids Council issues chilling warningĬlaim: People who have their hair cut at salons are at a high risk of contracting HIV through sharing barber clippers, the National AIDS Council has warned. Unless you have read The Chronicle of April 12, 2018, with the headline: BARBER SHOPS POSE HIV RISK. Hoping the water will be warm? Yes.Ĭalculating the risk of you contracting HIV or Hepatitis B from that salon visit? Absolutely not. Hoping there will be no extra charge for using mobile money to pay? Yes, especially if you are in Zimbabwe today. Going to the barber? What are the thoughts running through your mind? Hoping the appointment will not take up all your lunch break? Yes.
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