“Should I Tell My Nail Tech I Have HIV?” #curious

Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U, is a concept in HIV treatment and prevention that highlights a crucial breakthrough: when an individual living with HIV maintains an undetectable viral load through consistent antiretroviral therapy (ART), they cannot transmit the virus to sexual partners. "Undetectable" means that the amount of HIV in the blood is so low that it can't be detected by standard tests, and more importantly, it cannot be passed on.

This understanding has been supported by extensive scientific research, which shows that achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load effectively eliminates the risk of sexual transmission of HIV. U=U is a powerful message that not only underscores the effectiveness of HIV treatment but also helps to reduce the stigma associated with the virus. It empowers those living with HIV to lead healthy lives without the fear of transmission, provided they adhere to their prescribed treatment regimen.

#hiv #beauty #nails

[aishite]

Besides, the Nails Tech should always act as though every single person may have an infectious condition they are not aware of. Same with nurses, tattoo artists, etc.

[impagain]

Also, nail techs are supposed to soak their tools and equipment in disinfectant between clients anyway

[giselioliveira]

Plus all nail techs should dispose of the non autoclavable instruments. Because even besides HIV, fungal and bacterial infections can be spread by the materials

[Blade]

It absolutely amazes me that in a few decades we went from HIV being an absolute death sentence to a condition that is manageable and when kept up on not easily spread, AND on the road to a full cure.

Good on Bianca, keep up the good work ❤

[TefiTheWaterGipsy]

From an ex nail tech and who's best friend from a teen into early twenties died of AIDS back in the late 80s/ early 90s, no, you do not need to tell your nail tech or hairdresser.

It's great you're undetectable now. Thank you for being brave and discussing it publicly. You are very special. 💖 🇬🇧

[cjbabalos]

I thought the reason was that they should be running all tools through the autoclave anyways....

[SionSweet]

Nail tech here, and I use disposable items or hospital grade disinfectant followed by sterilization by heat and packaging for single use. While it's true not everyone does this, great techs will explain and show you their public safety measures.

Please stop just not going to dirty salons, it's crucial the public also report these places to state licensing boards. Stay away, yes. Help everybody stay away, also yes.

All that said, congratulations to Bianca on good health and great advocacy.

[FerDeAlmeida]

Nice that such a popular channel is treating this subject. 😊

[fernandaandrade]

That's the reason why I don't go to nail techs. We're I live not everybody sterilize their tools

[beamakota]

and most importantly! in the salon all files are disposable, cutters and other metal tools are cleaned in an autoclave, working surfaces are wiped with such chemicals after each client that nothing can hide and stylists always wear gloves. If something is missing in your salon, run away as far as possible! Because green bacteria can be easily cured but there are diseases less pleasant than it

[mistyvance]

People confuse me. You don't want to tell the nail tech of your HIV status, but you tell the whole WORLD.

[UnKnown-xsjt]

Even a small risk to others, IMO, necessitates that she inform the salon that they should clean their instruments very well, which they should be doing always

[Niccole-oqwo]

Nail salons should use Universal precautions. I've been to many nail salons. You'd be surprised how unsanitary some of those nail techs are. I literally saw one turn a glove inside out and work on a new client. I don't frequent nail salons anymore.

[conversechick]

Not risk absolutely anything. I do my own nails.

[jasminkelley]

If the second point were true, why can it be transmitted through shared needles even when the needle isn’t reused immediately?

[Tioko]

Wait, but don’t nail techs sterilize their instruments anyway? Mine always unpacks her tools (not sure what the names are in English) from a small sealed paper bag before using them on me.

[mattrose]

I went to cosmo school, learned that I will never go to a nail salon again. We were taught to treat all blood as carrying blood born illnesses, if you cut someone the service stops then and there and the cleaners you use will kill any blood born pathogens. But a lot of nail salons dont follow these safety practices, fungus and bacteria will build up in foot baths, instruments wont be properly cleaned between clients, and disposable instruments are used across multiple clients. The best way to avoid these issues is to ask to see thier disinfecting/cleaning area and make sure the cleaner doesnt look contaminated, never let them use a whirl pool, and check the liscences they have up to ensure they dont just print out 1 persons reprinted for every nail tech. If a nail tech accidentally cuts you and keeps going run, if they cut live skin on purpose that is legally surgery and they are not a surgeon so also run

[Thebear]

No that is not fully accurate
While sex transmission while undetectable is fairly improbable it is not 100% impossible. But if the nail technician has an open cut and there is blood transfer though the likelihood is low it is still VERY possible to transmit the virus.

[MuseOfMisery]

I mean, if the nail tech stabs through both your foot and her own hand simultaneously, then maybe I would consider mentioning it lol

[avaglynn]

As a nurse I have had several patients that I realized had HIV after having them as a patient for several hours or days. And it made no difference. I treat everyone as if they might have something I don't want to catch. Handwashing, gloves, etc.