Key Questions
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What are bloodborne pathogens?
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that, if present in blood, can cause disease in humans.
What are the most common bloodborne pathogens?
There are a number of bloodborne pathogens, but the most common blood related illnesses are hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS.
How are bloodborne pathogens transmitted?
Bloodborne pathogens live in blood. An uninfected person can be infected if diseased blood, or other bodily fluids containing the pathogen, enter their body through a cut, scrape, or mucous membrane.
Can bloodborne pathogens be transmitted by casual contact?
Bloodborne pathogens cannot be transmitted by casual contact such as shaking hands, touching the same doorknob, or using the same restroom.
What can be done to minimize the transmission of bloodborne pathogens?
In workplaces where the chance of exposure to blood is high, equipment and procedures can be put in place to minimize the risk. The most important thing anyone can do is to wear protective barriers such as rubber gloves and safety goggles to prevent contact of infected blood with your skin.