Risk of acquiring AIDS from salivary exchange through cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Abstract

In summary, the risk of transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases by saliva during CPR training practice is extremely low because of low infectious virus titers and properties of saliva that inhibit HIV. However, it is necessary to perform decontaminations of mannequins, by application of a suitable disinfectant and by a mechanical wipe-down with a sponge, to cleanse the external buccal area of the mannequin after contact with each CPR trainee. For health care and public safety professionals training and performance of MTM ventilation during CPR should be carried out with barrier devices such as the bag-valve-mask or face shield. Guidelines and standards of the AHA, American Red Cross, and the CDC for prevention of infection during CPR and emergency cardiac care are more fully available elsewhere. If the recommended procedures are followed, the risk of acquiring HIV from saliva during MTM should be extremely low.