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Bloodborne Pathogens

LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer, November 3, 2004

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A pathogen is an organism that can cause disease. A bloodborne pathogen is one that is passed through the blood of one infected person to another. Blood that is infected with pathogens can be transmitted from one person to another through the use of infected drug paraphernalia, sexual activity or direct contact with an open skin area.

Some diseases that are transferred by blood to blood contact are as follows:

• Hepatitis B and C: Hepatitis viruses cause the liver to become inflamed. The inflammation interferes with the liver's ability to function properly. Chronic cases of hepatitis can cause scarring of the liver-a condition called cirrhosis.
  Treatment choices for hepatitis are limited. If you have been exposed to Hepatitis B, an injection of Hepatitis B immune globulin within 24 hours may prevent you from contracting the disease.

• HIV/AIDS: The HIV virus attacks the body's immune system leaving it vulnerable to a large number of viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections.
  Treatment involves frequent and regular doses of a combination of three or more drugs. Nothing can cure HIV/AIDS, but for some people medications have prolonged and improved the length and quality of their lives.

To avoid contracting these maladies, it's vitally important for healthcare workers to follow standard precautions. Standard precautions, also called universal precautions, involve following these rules:

• Gloves must be worn where there is any anticipated contact with blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes, or any area of broken skin.
• It is necessary to wash your hands after removing the gloves.
• Masks, eye protection, gowns and face shields must be worn when there is the possibility of being sprayed or splashed with body fluids.
• You must follow facility procedure if you believe you have come in contact with someone else's blood or bodily fluid.

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS are the three bloodborne diseases that healthcare workers are most concerned about contracting; however, there are others. Take the time to practice the proper use of standard precautions and you will minimize or eliminate the possibility of becoming infected.

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