Following the rapid spread of infection in Nigeria today, there is a need to be extra careful in the prevention of diseases and their mode of transmission. For the career and working class mums, who would need help with the domestic chores around the home, there is a need to get these helps tested medically before bringing them over to the house because most of these helps have been infected and can equally cause an epidemic outbreak in the home. Majority of these communicable diseases and infection are easily transmitted by these helps. As a result, it is necessary to carry out some medical tests before hiring your help. These communicable diseases to get your help tested for are:
- HIV/AIDS
- Whooping Cough/Pertussis
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis
Also, one crucial test that can not be over emphasized is
- Pregnancy test
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) advances to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a sexually transmitted disease that destroys the immune systems and is accompanied by many diseases and infections. HIV is mainly transmitted through blood or mucous contact by unprotected sexual activities and sharing sharp objects like razors, needles, hair clippers, cutting combs used by ladies, injections, circumcisions and piercing equipments. Symptoms include fever, high temperature, weight loss, diarrhea, body blisters, fatigue, cough, difficulty in breathing and so on.
Your help can be carrier and you may be unaware about this if you do not get a medical test before hand. There was an instance where a 2 year old girl was infected with the virus because the mother did not know that the house help had the virus. The help used a razor which accidentally cut her thumb, made her bleed profusely hence spilling some blood on the razor. This led to a great heartache for the mother of the child.
Whooping Cough/Pertussis
Whooping cough otherwise known as Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium “Bordetella pertussis”. This bacterium into your nose and throat and spreads very easily. Whooping cough can affect people of any age. For adolescents and adults, the infection may only cause a persistent cough. However, for babies and young children, whooping cough can be life threatening.
Whooping cough often starts like a cold with a runny nose, sneezing and tiredness over several days, and then the coughing bouts begins.
Whooping cough bacteria are highly infectious and are spread to other people by an infected person coughing and sneezing. The infection can also be passed on through direct contact with infected secretions from the mouth or nose.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease caused by the bacterium “Mycobacterium tuberculosis” which generally affects the lungs and other parts of the body. Tuberculosis can be transmitted from an infected person to a susceptible person in airborne particles called droplet nuclei. The bacterium causing Tuberculosis are however transmitted through the air, not by surface contact. This means touching cannot spread the infection unless it is breathed in.
Transmission of “Mycobacterium tuberculosis” occurs when-
- A person is vulnerable to the tuberculosis infection
- A carrier is at the infectious stage
- An environment is conducive for the transmission of the bacterium
- The extent of exposure of the person vulnerable to the bacterium; because the longer the duration and proximity of the infected person determines the risk of exposure
If you do not get your help tested before hiring her she could be a mode of transmission for this bacterium
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, Hepatitis B is found in blood and body fluids. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis in general is of a great concern; it results into a burden of illness and death. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis can be transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or water, direct contact with infected body fluids, medical procedures using contaminated equipment, transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, sexual contact and sharing of unsterilized sharp objects /toiletries.
Pregnancy
Though not communicable, It is important to note that having a Pregnancy test is highly essential. You cannot afford to have a nursing mother as your live –in help in the house. A pregnant woman will be faced with some series of weakness and might not be fit for the job.
After you must have carried out these medical tests and other ones advised by your doctor, then you can decide if you would have prevented your family from being at risk of getting infected with these communicable diseases. Then would you be ready to hire a help!
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