2. Bloodborne Pathogens
“Without thinking about possible consequences, I helped a student who had a
bloody nose without wearing gloves. I had scratches on my hands from pruning
rosebushes the previous weekend. As a result, I contracted Hepatitis B, an
infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus with an incubation period of
2-6 months from exposure to the illness. The doctor said that 50% of infected
people do not become ill. I asked her how the disease was spread and she told
me through (1) sexual activity, (2) blood transfusions, (3) sharing needles, (4) from
direct contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials, and (5) from
mother to baby. She told me it even spreads more easily than HIV. I was shocked
to find out that just from helping with a bloody nose, I was now faced with
possibly months of recuperation.”
3. Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne Pathogens To protect yourself from contracting this or other
bloodborne diseases, read and study the following life-saving information.
Enduring Understanding: In today’s environment it is critical that school
professionals plan a safe response to children and adults in need. All school
employees must know the potential danger of bloodborne pathogens.
Essential Questions:
1. What are bloodborne pathogens?
2. How can I become infected? 3. How can I protect myself and others from
infection?
4. Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne Pathogens - HBV
Blood tests are necessary to diagnose the
disease
Virus an live in dried blood up to 7 days
Blood, saliva, and other bodily fluids may be
infected
If you have symptoms, they might include
fatigue, weight loss, fever, diarrhea, darkened
urine, jaundice
HBV vaccination series is available and
effective
Bloodborne Pathogens - HIV
Those infected with the virus will eventually
develop AIDS
No vaccine currently exists to prevent AIDS
HIV is transmitted mainly through sexual
contact, but also may be spread by contact
with blood and body fluids
HIV is NOT transmitted by touching or
working around people who carry the
disease
The virus will not survive long outside of the
human body
5. Bloodborne Pathogens Transmission
How can I become infected with bloodborne pathogens? BBPs may be present in
body fluids containing visible blood, semen and vaginal secretions, or torn or
loose skin. Workplace transmission—BBPs can enter your body through:
Open cuts and nicks
Skin abrasions
Dermatitis
Acne
Mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, or nose
6. Bloodborne Pathogen Protection
Standard Precautions:
• Treat all blood and body fluids as if they were potentially infectious
• Remember that victims of HBV and HIV come from all age groups, every socioeconomic class,
every state, and both rural areas and inner cities.
Engineering Controls:
Use appropriate containers for disposing of regulated waste and towels soaked with blood or body fluids
• Look for the biohazard label
• Warning labels must be placed on containers of regulated waste. Regulated waste includes:
• Blood or other potentially infectious materials
• Contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or
semi-liquid state if compressed
• Items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials
7. Bloodborne Pathogen Protection
Work Practice Controls
-specially-trained employees will
handle first-aid treatment and body
fluid spill cleanups
• Wash hands or other exposed skin
thoroughly as soon as possible
following an exposure incident
• Use antibacterial soap, not harsh,
abrasive soaps
Personal Hygiene
• Minimize splashing, spraying,
spattering and generating droplets
when attending to an injured
student or coworker, especially
where blood is present
• Don’t eat, drink, apply cosmetics
or lip balm, or handle contact
lenses where there is likelihood of
exposure
• Don’t keep food and drink in
refrigerators, freezers, shelves,
cabinets or on countertops or
bench tops where blood or other
potentially infectious materials are
present
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)
If there is a risk of splashing or
vaporization of contaminated fluids,
protective wear appropriate for the
task and exposure to include:
Goggles,
Face Shields
Aprons
8. Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure &
Decontamination
If I am exposed to body fluids, what do I do to protect myself?
• Wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and running water
• Use non-abrasive, antibacterial soap
• Flush mouth, nose, eyes for 15 minutes if blood is splashed in mucous membranes
• Report the exposure to your supervisor
Report all Student Blood Exposures
• Student should be brought to the campus nurse
• The right to privacy should be respected