Unit 3 Lesson 2: What are Bloodborne Pathogens? Flashcards
Some of the most common infections in the United States are hiding in many people’s
blood
d. There are some very common diseases that often don’t cause any symptoms, sometimes for years, but can still be transmitted between people. Who’s at high risk for these diseases
Healthcare workers are at higher risk for these diseases because they come into contact with blood much more often than other professionals. But information is power, and knowing what these infections are is a first step to knowing how to protect yourself on the job and in the community.
How do Bloodborne pathogens speread or get transfered
Bloodborne pathogens are pathogens that normally transfer from one person to another through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Often, they can be transmitted when infected blood or bodily fluids touch a mucous membrane or an open cut. Any fluid that contains blood can transmit infection
Microorganisms that are usually transmitted through blood and can cause disease in humans are called
bloodborne pathogens
Bodily fluids that may contain pathogens include
blood, semen, vaginal secretions, non-intact skin, and various types of bodily tissues.
These pathogens are generally not transmitted through
feces, sweat, nasal secretions, urine, tears, or vomit.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes the disease we call hepatitis B, a serious infection of the liver.
“hepatitis”
The word “hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver.
Symptoms of HBV
Symptoms can include fever, jaundice, nausea, and abdominal pain, but it may take 1-9 months after exposure for symptoms to appear.
Over a million people in the United States are infected with HBV, and many develop ? to HBV, which helps them recover.
antibodies
IS there a cure for HBV
There is no cure for hepatitis B, and it can lead to cirrhosis or cancer of the liver.
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HBV is a very durable virus what does that mean
. HBV is a very durable virus, and it can survive in dried blood for up to seven days, making it a major concern for laundry or custodial workers.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
h causes the disease hepatitis C HCV can cause serious damage to the liver and even be fatal.
The hepatitis B vaccine impact
The hepatitis B vaccine, which is offered to all workers at risk for exposure, has dramatically reduced the number of new cases of HBV in healthcare staff.
Up to 80 percent of people who are infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) show ? symptoms of the disease.
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What is the most common bloodborne infection in the US
HCV is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States,
How many people that haceHCV recover without any treatment
approximately 1/4 of the people who are infected recover without any treatment.
approximately 1/4 of the people who are infected recover without any treatment. What happens to the rest
Of the rest, many go on to have chronic infection, which can progress slowly for the first decade or two, producing no physical signs of illness.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, though it can take many years for HIV infection to develop into full-blown AIDS
What does HIV do to the immune system
. HIV attacks the immune system, weakening it so that opportunistic infections can harm the body.
Sysmtpoms of HIV
. People may show no signs when infected but may develop swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, or fatigue within a month or two of exposure.
HIV is a fragile virus, what does that mean
HIV is a fragile virus, not able to survive for long outside the human body, but because there is no known cure for this debilitating disease, extreme caution to prevent exposure is warranted.
Other diseases can spread in a healthcare setting through bloodborne transmission, but they are much less prevalent. There have been cases of transmission from patient contact of
malaria, tuberculosis, and herpes
Bloodborne pathogens can spread in a number of ways, including direct contact with
blood or sexual contact. Using unclean needles for acupuncture, drug use, or tattooing can transmit the pathogens. S
Sharing personal items with an infected person has transmitted the pathogens in some cases. What kind of personal items
. Sharing personal items like toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers with an infected person has transmitted the pathogens in some cases.
How does bloodbrone disease spread in residentital settings
In a residential setting, frequent close contact with someone who has hepatitis B can cause transmission.
What actions don’t spread bloodborne infections?
Sharing a drinking fountain, a toilet, or a shower with an infected person does not transmit bloodborne pathogens. Touching an infected person does not cause infection. Sneezing or coughing cannot spread a bloodborne pathogen.
When you use the standard precautions, you are protecting against bloodborne illnesses.
The precautions used to be called “universal” because you must always assume that a patient could be carrying a bloodborne pathogen—many people who are infected have no symptoms and therefore don’t have any idea that they might be infected. Thus, using standard precautions universally as a healthcare worker is the safest way to protect against these sometimes-deadly pathogens.
In healthcare settings, the most common way bloodborne illnesses are spread is through accidental
needle sticks
any contact with infected bodily fluids can transmit the pathogens.
If a worker has touched fluid that is infected, even with gloves on, and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes, this could transmit a virus.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include:
Create an Exposure Control Plan
Labels and Signs for Hazards
Inform and Train Workers
Standard (Universal) Precautions
Engineering Controls
Work Practice Controls
Personal Protective Equipment
Hepatitis B Vaccinations
Post-exposure Evaluations
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Create an Exposure Control Plan
Employers must have a written plan to eliminate or minimize exposure and should update it annually. This should include a list of tasks and procedures that risk exposure, and which jobs involve those tasks.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include:Labels and Signs for Hazards
Warning labels must be on containers of waste, sharps containers, refrigerators that contain blood or other fluids, contaminated equipment or laundry.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Standard (Universal) Precautions
Employers need to implement the standard precautions for handling all blood or possibly infected bodily fluids as if contaminated.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Inform and Train Workers
Workers need regular training on bloodborne pathogens and diseases, methods to control exposure, and post-exposure procedures.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Engineering Controls
Workers should use equipment engineered to help prevent exposure, such as sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, and safer medical devices.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Work Practice Controls
Employees must implement ways of performing tasks to minimize risk of exposure. Practices may apply to the handling of sharps, specimens, laundry and surfaces.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Personal Protective Equipment
Employers must provide PPE such as gloves, gowns, eye protection, and masks at no cost to workers.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Hepatitis B Vaccinations
Employers must make HBV vaccinations available to all workers who might have workplace exposure.
Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Post-exposure Evaluations
For any exposure incident, employers must provide evaluation and follow-up care to workers at no cost. In addition, employers must keep records of all needle stick or other exposure incidents.
