Etiology of Disease and the Practitioner: Treatment of Communicable and Infectious Diseases

  The human body harbors many opportunistic microorganisms. Rarely are funeral service practitioners aware of the potential hazards when handling the remains. OSHA has created an awareness of the basics of overall safety within the funeral service environment. Cost factors need to be reviewed so that all establishments, from the Mom and Pop operation to corporate establishments, will benefit and better protect and serve the public.

  All bodies should be handled with extreme care. Evaluation or pre-analysis begins with overall observation of the body. Over numerous years funeral service environment, the practitioner can develop immunities to many diseases. Because of the nature of the work and number of hostile environments, we tend to overlook personal symptoms and continue to work.

  The understanding of diseases that affect the upper respiratory system gives the embalmer an overview of the interaction of the respiratory and circulatory systems and their relationship to the spread of disease. They can be caused by viruses and bacteria. Viral infections, such as the common cold and influenza, lower the embalmer’s resistance and may lead to bacterial infections. Staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci are pyogenic bacteria. They cause the formation of pus which is mixed with excessive mucous secretions of the mucous membrane. This may create obstructions within the airways and form a medium for bacterial and viral infections originating in the lungs to become an aerosol transmission while handling the body.

  I have, over the years in dealing with the elderly and chronically ill who are susceptible to pneumonia, found the embalmer is in danger of contracting respiratory infections. Pre-disposing causes of bronchopneumonia leads to bronchiectasis. This is a dilation of the bronchial tubes which may prove fatal and be the primary cause of death.

  There is a definite relationship between respiratory diseases and susceptibility to tuberculosis and AIDS. The embalmer who has poor resistance to infections should be aware of this unseen concern while handling all remains. Respiratory infections must be treated by thorough aspiration and injection of a disinfectant agent.

  Lung cancer may be an occupational concern although early diagnosis has a poor prognosis possibly causing the deceased to have developed other infectious concerns. Obstruction of the bronchial causes the lungs to collapse and inhibits oxygen exchange thus leading to pneumonia and other respiratory conditions and death.

  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unpredictable cause of death in infants between birth and one year. Handling of the remains requires special treatment of the thoracic cavity. Such conditions may not be infectious or communicable however, they require special treatment for preservation.

  Hereditary diseases may be predisposing factors to many respiratory conditions an example being Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis and inherited degenerative diseases are characterized by wasting of muscle tissue. This factor is to be considered when using chemical fixation of the muscle tissue during the embalming process. Such degenerative conditions are a gradual deterioration of normal cells and body functions during life. It is a factor to be addressed in the preservation of the body.

  Anytime the respiratory system is involved after embalming, the area compromised should be packed with cotton saturated with disinfectant/preservative. This will prevent expulsion of potential opportunistic microbes into the environment during the handling of the body.

  Part 15 will continue to deal with the interaction between body systems.