A Deep Dive into Bloodborne Pathogens
Introduction
Bloodborne pathogens are viruses, bacteria and other germs found in human blood. They can be passed from person to person through contact with infected blood or other body fluids. Bloodborne pathogens are a serious health threat that can cause illness, disability or death. It is important that you understand the risks of being exposed to them so you can protect yourself and your coworkers if necessary!
What is a bloodborne pathogen?
Bloodborne pathogens are viruses and bacteria that can cause disease. They are carried in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk and other body fluids. Some examples of bloodborne pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
In order to protect yourself from these pathogens you need to be aware of where they come from so that you can take steps to avoid them as much as possible.
How do bloodborne pathogens get into the human body?
There are several ways that bloodborne pathogens can get into the human body.
- Through a Break in the Skin: A break in the skin is considered to be any wound or opening in your skin that allows for entry of microorganisms or viruses. Wounds include cuts, scrapes, scratches and burns (which includes sunburns). If you have an open sore on your hand from an injury and then touch something contaminated with HBV/HCV or HIV-infected blood while you have no gloves on and do not wash immediately after touching it, this could result in transmission of these diseases if they were present on that object beforehand.
- Through Mucous Membranes: Mucous membranes include those found inside your nose, mouth or vagina as well as those found around openings into other parts of your body such as eyes and ears; however these areas rarely come into contact with contaminated fluids because they're protected by other layers like eyelids over eyes or wax seals around ear openings which prevent fluid penetration into deeper tissue layers where there would likely be more damage done than just surface irritation if exposed directly without protection first - though if someone were able to force their way past these barriers then there could still be consequences depending on how much force was used during penetration since some types like HIV don't require much force at all since they're so small compared to most other types
Who does this regulation apply to?
Who does this regulation apply to?
The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applies to employers, employees, contractors, volunteers and students who may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). In addition, it also applies when you are engaged in the following activities:
- Cleaning up a spill of blood or OPIM;
- Wiping down equipment after use; or
- Removing waste containers from a room where there has been an accidental needlestick injury or other exposure incident;
What if I am in a situation where I need to be exposed to blood or other body fluids?
If you are in a situation where it is necessary to be exposed to blood or other body fluids, follow these steps:
- Wear protective clothing, gloves and eye protection.
- Wash hands and other exposed parts of your body thoroughly with soap and water after leaving the area where exposure occurred.
If you get blood or other body fluids on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water as soon as possible (for example, before going home). If this is not possible because there are no facilities nearby where you can clean up properly after each job assignment that requires working around bloodborne pathogens (BBP), then wear disposable coveralls under regular work clothes while performing these tasks until they are completed safely at home later that evening/morning depending on how long it takes for them all to end up being done right away rather than waiting until later so we don't forget about doing things like washing our hands after handling dirty equipment before eating lunchtime snacks etc., which could lead us into accidentally getting sick if we're not careful enough about keeping ourselves safe by practicing good hygiene habits every day throughout our lives even though sometimes we might forget what those were exactly since everyone makes mistakes sometimes but hopefully won't do them too often because then people might think less highly about us which would be bad news indeed!
Bloodborne pathogens are very dangerous and can cause illness, disability and death.
Bloodborne pathogens are very dangerous and can cause illness, disability and death. These diseases are passed from person to person through blood or other body fluids. They include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis.
Bloodborne pathogens pose a risk to everyone who works with them in the healthcare industry because they are found on skin wounds such as cuts or abrasions; mucous membranes like the mouth and eyes; needles used for injections; broken glassware containing blood products or other bodily fluids; surgical instruments after surgery patients have been on an operating table where there was contact between their blood or other body fluids with these items
Conclusion
Bloodborne pathogens are very dangerous and can cause illness, disability and death. That is why it is so important that you know how to protect yourself from these pathogens and what to do if you are exposed to them.
