Annexure 9: Situational Guide - Care of the Body after

Death of a PLHIV
HIV can survive in cadavers for a considerable amount of time (up to 16 days after death if
stored at 2 °C. Viable HIV has also been isolated from bone fragments, spleen, brain, bone
marrow, and lymph nodes at autopsy 6 days post-mortem.
Do Don’t
 Protect self by using PPE and avoiding  Give bath to the dead body.
injuries  Embalming bodies, especially
 Gloves, especially if the body has many when infected with hepatitis B,
wounds. hepatitis C, HIV or rabies as it
 Wear other PPE only if large quantities involves the extraction of infected
of splashes of blood are anticipated. material from body as well as
 Bodies that need to be handled further exposure of infected
especially directly from emergency tissues and can’t be guaranteed
rooms or after resuscitation procedures to eliminate the risk of infection
may contain needles or other sharps. from the body .
Care should be taken to avoid needle If absolutely essential, use all PPE
stick and sharps injuries.
 Enclose the body in double plastic
sheet/bag to avoid contamination and
spread of infection
 Remove PPE after the procedure
 Discard PPE into linen bin for laundering
or dispose appropriately.
 Wash hands after removing PPE.
 A shower should be taken before leaving
the room.
 Disinfect the environment and any other
place or item that is contaminated with
body secretions with 1% hypochlorite
solution.
 Educate relatives of deceased about
a. Body to be kept enclosed in the
double plastic sheet/bag with
seal.
b. Need for burial or cremation as
early as possible,
c. Sealing the coffin is not
required.

 Disinfecting if needed and then

washing patient’s clothing, bed linen,
and other personal items.

Annexure 9 - Care of PLHIV's Dead Body- Revised Page 1 of 1