Bloodborne pathogens are dangerous diseases that can be passed from person to person through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. They're transmitted when infected blood comes into contact with an uninfected person's skin, eyes, or mouth. The most common bloodborne pathogens are HIV and Hepatitis C. First responders often come into contact with these diseases during the course of their work, so it's essential that they understand how they can prevent infection, who should be tested for these diseases, and what happens if you test positive—both personally and professionally.
What are bloodborne pathogens?
Bloodborne pathogens are a group of diseases that can be transmitted by blood and other bodily fluids. These pathogens include Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), HIV/AIDS, and others.
Bloodborne pathogens can be spread through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids like semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, and breast milk. They're also transmitted when an object that has been contaminated with infected blood comes in contact with another person's mucous membranes (such as the eyes or mouth).
You can't catch these infections from casual contact such as kissing someone -- only direct contact with an infected person's blood or other bodily fluids will put you at risk for infection.
Exposure to bloodborne pathogens
Bloodborne pathogens are viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can be transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Examples of bloodborne pathogens include HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and Hepatitis C. Other examples of bodily fluids that may contain these pathogens include semen, vaginal secretions, urine, and feces.
Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted through:
- Direct needle stick injuries;
- Contact with open wounds on an infected person;
- Broken skin from cuts or abrasions sustained while handling infected materials; or
- Exposure to contaminated surfaces such as countertops or medical equipment used for patient care
Exposure prevention
You can help prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens by:
- Using personal protective equipment to protect yourself from direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids. This includes wearing gloves, eye protection, and a face shield when appropriate.
- Properly disinfect equipment that comes into contact with blood or bodily fluids before moving it to another location. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning/disinfection your personal protective equipment (PPE) and any surfaces exposed to potentially infectious material such as countertops, floors, and walls where spills may have occurred.
- Use caution when handling needles and other sharp objects so they do not puncture your skin or clothing; if this happens, immediately wash with soap and water before continuing work duties--even if the wound is small! Also, keep in mind that many sharps injuries occur because workers don't realize they've been cut until hours later when symptoms such as fever develop after leaving the work site where exposure occurred earlier during shift hours."
The danger of HIV and Hepatitis C
HIV and Hepatitis C are two of the most deadly bloodborne pathogens. Both can be transmitted through sexual contact, needle sharing, or childbirth. HIV can also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy. If you are exposed to either virus and do not receive treatment immediately, there is no cure for either disease at this time.
There are several methods through which you can contract these viruses:
- Sexual contact with an infected person
- Sharing needles with someone who has been diagnosed with one of these diseases (even if they claim they don't have it)
- Childbirth (if your partner has one of these diseases)
Testing for HIV and Hepatitis C
If you are providing medical services to a patient who has been exposed to bloodborne pathogens, it is important for you to know how to test for HIV and Hepatitis C.
Here are some facts about testing:
- All people should consider getting tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. For those who have had multiple sexual partners within the last 12 months or engage in high-risk behaviors like sharing needles, it is best to get tested annually. If you believe your risk factors may change, discuss with your doctor about the frequency of testing.
- Most states require healthcare providers who treat patients with known or suspected exposure incidents involving bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B or C virus infections must report those cases within 72 hours of diagnosis.
The first step in preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens is understanding them.
A key part of preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens is understanding them. The first step is knowing what you're dealing with, so you can take appropriate precautions and steps to protect yourself and others.
- Understand the risks. Bloodborne pathogens are bacteria or viruses that can cause disease when transmitted through human blood or other bodily fluids (like semen).
- Know how to prevent exposure: Wear gloves when working with patients who may have been exposed to an infectious disease; wear protective eye gear if splashing is possible; wash hands frequently; disinfect tools after use--especially needleless syringes and other sharps containers that have come into contact with blood or body fluids; don't recap used needles until they've been properly disposed of in a biohazard container or autoclave machine at work.
- If you think someone has been exposed: Immediately call 911 if it's an emergency situation requiring immediate medical attention; otherwise seek out professional advice from your doctor about whether testing should be done on yourself or any other person involved in the incident.
- Testing for HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis C: Once tested positive for either condition (which will require several weeks), treatment options include antiviral drugs like Truvada that reduce viral load levels by up Hiv-1 infection rate by 92%.
Conclusion
Bloodborne pathogens are an important part of first responder safety. Exposure to these viruses can be deadly, and it's essential for first responders to know how to protect themselves from them. Knowing about HIV and Hepatitis C will help keep your team safe from their harmful effects by preventing exposure or contracting them after exposure occurs.