Definitions
• Bloodborne pathogens – transmitted through blood or other potentially infectious material such as certain bodily fluids (semen, breast milk, etc.) or tissues.
• Airborne pathogens – transmitted by airborne droplets such as those from coughing, sneezing, or breathing close to someone’s face.
First Responder Concerns - Bloodborne
• AIDS/HIV – can result from blood splash onto mucous membrane (eyes, nose, and mouth) or by blood coming into contact with open skin
First Responder Concerns - Bloodborne
• Hepatitis B – transmitted same as HIV, but there is some risk in mouth to mouth rescue breathing
• Hepatitis C
First Responder Concerns - Airborne
• Tuberculosis – spread when people with untreated TB germs in their lungs cough, sneeze or speak
• Meningitis – risk of on the job exposure minimal
Infected Blood Can Enter Your System through
• Open Sores• Cuts• Abrasions• Acne• Any sort of damaged or broke skin such as
sunburn or blisters• Mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and
mouth
HIV/AIDS
• HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus – attacks a type of white blood cells – T cells which is a part of the immune system. The body is left without a line of defense against infection. Person becomes susceptible to opportunistic diseases such as pneumonia.
• Initially no signs of having the virus.
HIV/AIDS
• The virus lives outside the body only a few hours.
• Four modes of transfer – blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk.
HIV/AIDS
• AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome – Once a person is HIV positive and contracts an opportunistic disease, they are considered to have AIDS.
• There is no vaccination for HIV.
AIDS Statistics – United States
• At the end of 2005, the CDC estimated there were 437,982 people living with AIDS.
• At the end of 2005, the CDC estimated there were between 1,039,000 and 1,185,000 living with HIV.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Potentially life threatening
• CDC estimates there are about 280,000 HBV infections each year in the US
• Approximately 8,700 health care workers contract HBV each year, and about 200 will die.
Hepatitis B Symptoms
• Weight loss
• Malaise
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Jaundice (yellow skin)
• Skin Rashes
• Aching Joints
• Incubation period for Hepatitis B ranges from 45 to 180 days with an average of 120 days.
• Some people will be asymptomatic, but can be carriers.
Concentration of Hepatitis B Virus in Various Body Fluids
High Moderate Low/Not Detectable
blood semen urine
serum vaginal fluid feces
other fluids from wounds
saliva sweat
tears
breastmilk
HIV vs. Hepatitis B
HIV Hepatitis B
10 – 50 virus particles per ml of blood
At lest 1,000,000 virus particles per ml of blood
Virus lives outside the body for only a few hours
Virus lives outside the body for up to 7 days
Up to 100 times easier to catch than HIV
No vaccination available Vaccinations available – 3 doses
Hepatitis C
• 3-4 million carriers
• Disease can incubate for decades
• Most carriers will have some liver damage, but may not feel sick.
• Some may develop cirrhosis of the liver and liver failure which may take years to develop.
Hepatitis C Risk Factors
• Long-term kidney dialysis
• Sex with multiple partners
• Tattooing or body piercing with shared needles or unsterilized equipment
• Intranasal cocaine use with shared straws
• People who received blood transfusions before 1992
Hepatitis C Risk Factors
• Drug Users who share needles
• Babies born to mothers who have Hepatitis C
• Health care workers, dental workers, emergency workers, and others who have contact with blood and body fluid
Hepatitis C
• There is no vaccination against HCV
• No treatment after exposure
• Prevention is imperative
Spread of Bloodborne Pathogens - Review
• Puncture by a sharp object infected with the Virus
• Contaminated object or substance touches inflamed skin, acne, skin abrasion
Spread of Bloodborne Pathogens - Review
• Touch a contaminated surface or substance and then touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or open wounds or inflamed skin
How to Reduce Your Risk
• Use your personal protective equipment, including: medical gloves, firefighter gloves, bunker gear, helmet, face shield, protective goggles, protective gowns.
• What you use depends on the incident.• Do not eat, drink, smoke, or handle contact
lens in areas where there is the possibility of exposure.
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