What are the 3 main types of bloodborne pathogens?

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Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
What are the 3 most common bloodborne pathogens in the US?
What are the 3 main diseases of concern regarding bloodborne pathogens?
What are all the bloodborne pathogens?
What are 4 common bloodborne diseases?

Bloodborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, which exist in blood and other body fluids.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are carried in blood and can cause disease in people.

There are many different bloodborne pathogens, including malaria, syphilis, and brucellosis, and most notably Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Bloodborne pathogens such as HBV and HIV can be transmitted through contact with infected human blood and other potentially infectious body fluids such as:

semen
vaginal secretions
cerebrospinal fluid
synovial fluid
pleural fluid
peritoneal fluid
amniotic fluid
saliva (in dental procedures), and
any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood.

It is important to know the ways exposure and transmission are most likely to occur in your particular situation, be it providing first aid to a student in the classroom, handling blood samples in the laboratory, or cleaning up blood from a hallway.

HBV and HIV are most commonly transmitted through:

sexual contact sharing of hypodermic needles
from mothers to their babies at/before birth
accidental puncture from contaminated needles, broken glass, or other sharps
contact between broken or damaged skin and infected body fluids
contact between mucous membranes and infected body fluids
accidental puncture from contaminated needles and other sharps can result in transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention

Overview

What are bloodborne pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens. Workers in many occupations, including first responders, housekeeping personnel in some industries, nurses and other healthcare personnel, all may be at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

What can be done to control exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

In order to reduce or eliminate the hazards of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, an employer must implement an exposure control plan for the worksite with details on employee protection measures. The plan must also describe how an employer will use engineering and work practice controls, personal protective clothing and equipment, employee training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, and other provisions as required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Engineering controls are the primary means of eliminating or minimizing employee exposure and include the use of safer medical devices, such as needleless devices, shielded needle devices, and plastic capillary tubes.

General Guidance

Provides information on the revised standard.

Enforcement

Highlights directives and letters of interpretation related to bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention.

Hazard Recognition

Provides references that aid in recognizing workplace hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens.

Evaluating and Controlling Exposure

Provides information for evaluating and controlling bloodborne pathogens and needlestick hazards.

Standards

Bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry.

Additional Resources

Provides links and references to additional resources related to bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention.

What to do if you are stuck by a needle:

If you are stuck by a needle or other sharp or get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin, immediately flood the exposed area with water and clean any wound with soap and water or a skin disinfectant if available. Report this immediately to your employer and seek immediate medical attention.

CDC: Emergency Needlestick Information also provides immediate access to treatment protocols following blood exposures involving HIV, HBV and HCV, including the Clinicians' Post Exposure Prophylaxis Hotline (PEPline) at 1-888-448-4911.

What are the 3 most common bloodborne pathogens in the US?

The three most common bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). This flyer is being sent to employers as an aid to understanding and complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

What are the 3 main diseases of concern regarding bloodborne pathogens?

The pathogens of primary concern are the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

What are all the bloodborne pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease and are present in human blood. They include but are not limited to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

What are 4 common bloodborne diseases?

There are many different bloodborne pathogens, including malaria, syphilis, and brucellosis, and most notably Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).