All About Blood Borne Pathogens

What are blood borne pathogens?

• Infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans

What are the three most common blood borne pathogens?

• Hepatitis B• Hepatitis C• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Who is at risk for exposure to blood borne pathogens?

• First Aid Providers• Nurses• Doctors• Physical Therapists• Fitness Professionals• Athletic Trainers

How can someone become infected with a blood borne pathogen?

• Being stuck by a needle or other sharp object that has touched blood or bodily fluids of another person• If blood or bodily fluids touch mucous membranes or an open sore or cut• Passed from person to person through semen, vaginal secretions, synovial fluid, saliva

Hepatitis B: What is it?

• Irritation and swelling of the liver due to infection

Hepatitis B : Symptoms

• Appetite loss• Fatigue• Low fever• Muscle and joint

aches• Nausea and

vomiting• Yellow skin and

dark urine

• Symptoms may not appear for up to 6 months• Symptoms should go

away in a few weeks to months if your body is able to fight off the infection• If severe can lead to

liver damage

Hepatitis B : How do you get it?

• See question 44

Hepatitis B : How is it treated?

• Unless severe no treatment is needed • Liver and bodily functions are monitored through blood tests• If conditions worsen anti-viral drugs may be prescribed

Hepatitis B : How can you prevent it?

• Utilize OSHA’s standard precautions

Hepatitis C: What is it?

• Viral disease that leads to swelling of the liver due to infection

Hepatitis C: Symptoms• Pain in the right

upper abdomen• Abdominal swelling• Clay-colored or pale

stools• Dark urine• Fatigue• Fever

• Itching• Jaundice• Loss of appetite• Nausea and

vomiting• Long term Hepatitis

C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer

Hepatitis C: How do you get it?

• See question 44

Hepatitis C: How is it treated?

• Blood tests are used to check for Hepatitis C• Antiviral drugs• If cirrhosis or liver cancer develops a liver transplant may be recommended

Hepatitis C: How can you prevent it?

• Utilize OSHA’s standard precautions

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): What is it?

• Virus that attacks the immune system

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Symptoms

• Fever• Sore Throat• Headache• Muscle aches and

joint pain• Swollen glands

• Skin Rash• Extreme tiredness• Weight loss• Night sweats• **People may

mistake the symptoms for the flu or mono

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):How do you get it?

• See question 44

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):How is it treated?

• Blood and saliva tests are used to check for HIV• There is no cure for HIV, but treatment can keep virus levels low and help maintain the immune system.• The drugs used to treat HIV can cost up to $15,000 per year

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):How can you prevent it?

• Utilize OSHA’s standard precautions