Download Bloodborne Pathogens for School Employees: The Straight Facts

Deadly Bloodborne Diseases
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Hepatitis C (HCV)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HBV
• Half of those infected have no
symptoms
• Most recover completely
• 10% become chronically infected
• Easily transmitted disease
• No cure, prevented with a vaccine.
HCV
• Most of those infected have no
symptoms
• 85% have chronic infections
• No preventative vaccine
• Antiviral drugs may be effective in
some cases.
HIV
• Attacks immune system
• Infected remain apparently healthy for
many years
• Some infected people develop AIDS
• No preventative vaccine.
Transmission of
Bloodborne Pathogens
• Spread most easily through contact with
blood
• Other potentially infectious materials
(OPIM)
• Commonly transmitted through sharing
needles, unprotected sex and mother to
unborn child before or during birth.
Standard Precautions
• Treat all blood and OPIM as though
infected with bloodborne pathogens
• Universal Precautions
• Body Substance Isolation practices.
Gloves
• Replace and dispose of singleuse gloves
• Remove gloves properly
• Never touch outside of glove
with bare skin
• Wash hands with soap and
warm running water.
Safe Work Practices
• Follow Exposure Control Plan
• Clean all blood and body fluids
immediately
• Disposal.
Housekeeping
• Clean and decontaminate
• Never use your hands to pick up
broken glass
• Handle contaminated laundry as little
as possible
• Regularly inspect and decontaminate
containers.
If You’re Exposed
• Wash skin area with soap and warm
water
• Flush exposed mucous membranes
with clean water
• Report incident to designated person.
Quiz
Circle the correct answer.
1.
True or False – HCV and HIV pose a greater risk than HBV because they’re more easily
transmitted.
2.
True or False – Many people infected with HCV and HBV have no symptoms at all.
3.
True or False – Many people infected with HIV remain apparently healthy for many years.
4.
True or False – HBV, HCV and HIV spread most easily through contact with blood.
5.
True or False – At work, you can be exposed to these viruses only through unprotected sexual
contact with someone who is infected.
6.
True or False – Your school district may have an Exposure Control Plan that details blood
borne pathogen safety measures.
7.
True or False – Cover hand cuts or skin abrasions with gloves before school.
8.
True or False – Hand washing is your number one protection against infection and keeps you
from infecting other people or objects.
9.
True or False – An Exposure Control Plan lists specific methods and schedules for cleaning
environmental surfaces possibly contaminated with infectious materials.
10.
True or False – The first thing you should do if exposed to blood or other potentially infected
material is to report the exposure to the designated person.