Protecting Yourself from Bloodborne Pathogens in the Workplace

Introduction

Bloodborne pathogens are diseases that can be transmitted through contact with infected blood. Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and syphilis are all examples of bloodborne pathogens. Exposure to a bloodborne pathogen can happen if you're bitten or scratched by an infected person or animal, have contact with their blood or body fluids, or through an open wound (like being cut by a needle used on someone else). Most people who have been infected with a bloodborne pathogen don't know it until they get sick but it's very serious!

Bloodborne pathogens 

Bloodborne pathogens are diseases that can be transmitted through contact with infected blood. Bloodborne pathogens include HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis. If you're exposed to these pathogens and don't get treatment, they can cause serious illness or death.

If you have been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen:

  • You should report the incident immediately by calling 911 or going straight to an emergency room if it's after hours or on weekends/holidays when there isn't an urgent care clinic nearby for testing purposes only!
  • Because symptoms may not appear until months later--and because there is no cure for these diseases once they're contracted--it is important that everyone take precautions against infection when working around patients who may have them such as wearing gloves when providing care as well as using clean needles during injections/IV insertions if possible since they do not provide complete protection against transmission either but will help reduce risk factors significantly enough so long as proper technique has been followed correctly throughout procedure duration."

Hepatitis B and C, HIV

Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and syphilis are all examples of bloodborne pathogens. There are other types as well, such as hepatitis D, but these four are the most common ones in the United States today.

If you're exposed to a bloodborne pathogen, your risk of getting sick depends on how much virus enters your bloodstream through an open wound or needle stick injury (the most common type of exposure), or by being bitten or scratched by an infected person or animal with blood on its mouth or claws.

HIV is the most common bloodborne pathogen in the U.S., but hepatitis B and C cause more chronic illness than HIV does--and they're far more likely to be transmitted at work than HIV is!

Exposure to a bloodborne pathogen 

If you're working with bloodborne pathogens, it's important for you to know the signs and symptoms of exposure. Exposure can happen if you're bitten or scratched by an infected person or animal, have contact with their blood or body fluids, or through an open wound. The most common way to get infected is through a bite or a scratch; however, you can also be exposed by having contact with infected material such as saliva or feces that contains the virus. You can also get infected if you have an open wound such as cuts on your fingers or hands while working at the job site where there are hazards present that could cause injury to these areas of your body (examples include using power tools).

Other ways include: having needle sticks from needles used for medical procedures; improper disposal of materials containing bloodborne pathogens; sharing needles/razors when shaving etc.; sneezing/coughing in someone's face without warning them first so they don't breathe it into their lungs; sometimes even just being around someone who has active HBV infection but doesn't know about it yet!

Most people who have been infected with a bloodborne pathogen 

Most people who have been infected with a bloodborne pathogen don't know it until they get sick. This is because the symptoms of these diseases can be similar to those of many other conditions, such as the flu or a cold.

Bloodborne pathogens are serious and can lead to long-term health problems if not treated properly.

Things you can do to protect yourself from exposure to bloodborne pathogens

  • Use gloves and masks when cleaning up contaminated materials.
  • Have a good first aid kit available in case someone gets injured at work.
  • Don't eat, drink or smoke in areas where bloodborne pathogens are present. This includes dental offices that use needles to numb patients' mouths before surgery or fillings are done on their teeth! If you must drink water while working with these items, make sure it is bottled water (not tap) and keep it out of reach from those who may be exposed to your bloodborne pathogens if they were able to reach into your lunchbox without asking permission first... which brings us neatly onto our next point:

Exposure to bloodborne pathogens 

If you do not have a first aid kit available to you, it is important that you know how to use the equipment in your workplace. You should also be aware of the risks and how to report an exposure incident. For example, if there is blood on the floor or other surfaces in the facility where you work, follow proper procedures for cleaning up blood and bodily fluids before going home at night.

If possible, wash hands with soap and warm water after using protective equipment such as gloves or masks; otherwise, use alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol (ethanol). Do not eat food while wearing gloves unless they are disposable nitrile or vinyl gloves which can be washed off easily with soap and water before eating anything else afterwards!

Conclusion

Bloodborne pathogens are a real threat to anyone who works with blood and body fluids. They can be dangerous for both you and your employees if you're not careful about how you handle them, but there are ways to protect yourself from exposure. The most important thing is to make sure that everyone in your workplace knows what they need to do in case they get injured or cut while doing their job. You should also invest in personal protective equipment like masks and gloves so that everyone can stay safe while handling potentially infectious materials like needles or syringes

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS CERTIFICATION

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