Blood borne pathogens can range from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to hepatitis viruses. These viruses pose a variety of complicated risks. They can be transmitted if infected blood or body fluids like semen, vaginal secretions and saliva enters your mucous membranes or into the bloodstream directly through broken skin.

Issues You Must Know About Blood Borne Pathogens

– Determine whether you are at risk

To determine whether you are at risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens you must first answer these questions-

1. Have you been assigned a task that requires you to handle human blood or other bodily fluids (with or without protection gears)?

2. Have you ever received blood or bodily fluid spill or splash on your skin or clothing, while doing your job?

3. Is there any chance of contact with human blood or body fluids on your skin or clothing while carrying out your regular tasks?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, you may be at risk.

– Diseases caused by blood borne pathogens

Blood borne pathogens are harmful microorganisms that can cause serious diseases like Hepatitis B and HIV. Hepatitis virus causes inflammation of the liver and lead to serious conditions like liver cancer and cirrhosis. Hepatitis B virus can survive for up to seven days even in dried blood.

Hence, this virus is the primary concern for those who are at risk of exposure to blood and other potentially infectious body fluids. HIV AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is another deadly disease caused by.HIV virus. The virus will not survive for a long period outside the human body. If you administer first aid or medical care in situations that involve fresh blood and other bodily fluids, you may be susceptible to getting infected. Understanding blood borne pathogens and taking precautionary measures are the best ways to prevent the risk of infection.

– How to understand whether something is infectious?

It is impossible to determine whether the blood or bodily fluid you handle is infectious or not. In fact, many people infected with blood borne pathogens do not even know that they have an infection. Their blood or bodily fluids can be infectious even if they do not suffer from any disease yet. Blood borne pathogens training equip you with knowledge on how to take precautions assuming all human blood and body fluids as infectious.

– How to protect yourself?

If you are at risk, you must undergo training and learn ways to prevent yourself from exposure to blood and body fluids. Wearing protective clothing, gloves, eyewear and masks and using special equipment can provide protection from blood borne pathogens. Hand washing, disposing contaminated materials safely and cleaning up blood and body fluid spills are some of the effective ways to prevent risk of exposure to harmful microorganisms. You may also need to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B virus.

Understanding blood borne pathogens and implementing practical preventive measures can help reduce the risk of transmitting infections. It is crucial to know about this to stay away from deadly diseases.

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Category: Medicines and Remedies
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