While it's important to be aware of the risks involved in your job, you should also learn everything possible about protecting yourself from bloodborne pathogens while at work or on the job!
Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can lead to a condition called bloodborne infection, which can be life-threatening. The most common bloodborne pathogens are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Hepatitis B is spread through bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions and saliva; however, it can also be transmitted via other means if an infected person's skin breaks or if they have open wounds on their hands or face.
Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood but may also be spread through sexual contact with an infected partner who has open sores on their genitals (such as those associated with genital herpes)
Common Bloodborne Pathogens
The most common bloodborne pathogens are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. These viruses attack the liver and can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, which can be present on surfaces or in the air.
- Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It's spread when blood from an infected person enters another person's body, such as through needle sticks or sexual activity (in this case, oral sex). The symptoms of hepatitis B include fever, nausea and vomiting; they usually appear within two weeks after exposure to the virus but may take up to six months for some people who contract it through sexual intercourse or IV drug use.
- Hepatitis C is also known as "HCV"--or simply "hepatitis." This type of hepatitis was formerly known as non-A non-B hepatitis because there was no way at first to determine whether it was caused by one type of virus or two types.
Bloodborne pathogens are contracted by coming into contact with someone else's blood. You can be exposed to these pathogens when you share needles, come into contact with someone else's blood or bodily fluids, get bitten by an infected person, or have sex with someone who has the virus.
and/or through needle sharing. Symptoms of Hepatitis B and C include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and jaundice—but they can also go unnoticed in some cases.
As a healthcare professional, it's important to know what the risks are in your job. You need to be aware of how to protect yourself and others from bloodborne pathogens.
You also need to know how this training can help protect your employer by providing them with information on how they can reduce the risk of exposure while working with patients who may have these diseases or infections.
How do I know if I'm infected? HIV can take several years to show up in a person's blood. The first sign of infection is usually a positive test result on an antibody test, which is done to detect HIV antibodies.
Protect yourself from infection
Guidelines for preventing infection include:
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks when working with bloodborne pathogens.
- Following universal precautions, which means treating all blood or bodily fluids as if they are potentially infectious. This includes avoiding direct contact with these materials and keeping them away from your skin, nose, mouth and eyes. You should also use caution when cleaning up spills on floors or other surfaces that may contain bloodborne pathogens because they can be spread by contact with another person's skin or mucous membranes like those inside the nose or mouth.
- Washing hands frequently--especially after using the bathroom--and before eating food; this helps prevent spreading infections through unwashed hands touching food products that are then eaten without further cooking (such as raw vegetables).
The training will help you to understand: -The risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. How to protect yourself and others from these diseases or infections. What the rules are for handling and disposing of biohazardous waste.
It's important for employers to have a proactive approach
As an employer, it's important to have a proactive approach to protecting your employees from potential exposure. You can do this by providing training and education on bloodborne pathogens, having a policy in place for reporting incidents of exposure, encouraging employees to report any incidents of exposure and more.
This is especially important because, in many states, employers are legally responsible for ensuring the safety of their employees.
Some jobs are riskier than others
Some jobs are riskier than others when it comes to exposure. For example, if you work in a hospital or dentist's office, it's likely that you'll be exposed to bloodborne pathogens at some point in your career. Other jobs that involve handling blood or bodily fluids include:
- animal handlers (such as those who work with livestock)
- laboratory technicians (who may come into contact with infected samples)
If your job involves any of these types of activities and materials--or if there is any chance that they could happen--it's important for you to know how to protect yourself from becoming infected with a disease like HIV/AIDS or hepatitis C through accidental cuts on the job site.
As a worker, it is important to know all about the risks of exposure and how to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens. You should also know how to report exposure, handle situations if you are exposed, and take care of yourself after an incident.
As a healthcare professional, it's important to know what you're dealing with and how to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens. These infections can be life-threatening if they aren't treated quickly enough, so it's essential that you know what steps need taken before entering any potentially risky situation. If your job involves coming into contact with blood or bodily fluids--or even just working near other people who do--make sure that you're taking all necessary precautions when handling potentially infectious materials such as needles or gloves (which themselves may be contaminated).
