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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.
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. 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.Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
Overview
General Guidance
Provides information on the revised standard.
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Enforcement
Highlights directives and letters of interpretation related to bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention.
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Hazard Recognition
Provides references that aid in recognizing workplace hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens.
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Evaluating and Controlling Exposure
Provides information for evaluating and controlling bloodborne pathogens and needlestick hazards.
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Standards
Bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry.
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Additional Resources
Provides links and references to additional resources related to bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention.
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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.