Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease when transmitted from an infected individual to another individual through blood and certain body fluids. They are capable of causing serious illness and death. The most common illnesses are Hepatitis B and C and AIDS (HIV).

For more information about Hepatitis click here: http://www.liverfoundation.org/

For more information about AIDS click here: http://www.aegis.com/ then click on "the basics".

 

 

 

 

 

How are Bloodborne pathogens transmitted?

Bloodborne Pathogens can be transmitted when blood or body fluid from an infected person enters another person's body via needle-sticks, human bites, cuts, abrasions, or through mucous membranes. Any body fluid with visible blood is potentially infections. Also, semen, vaginal secretions and saliva in dental procedures are considered potentially infected body fluids.

The Hepatitis B virus can live up to a week on a dried environmental surface.

Table of Contents

"Hepatitis B vaccine"

"What is a Blood borne Disease?"

 

 
 
Early MicroscopeE
 

Bloodborne Pathogen training is the key to entering the crime scene cleanup field. Once certified for this training, the crime scene cleaner may begin cleaning the next day in many states. This situation may change at any time. Check with your local and state governments. (We hope to make these sources available here.)

The American Redcross often provides bloodborne pathogen training for a reasonable fee. Classes usually last a few hours..

See below for useful links.

http://www.ba.k12.ok.us/Bloodborne/training.htm

 
http://www.usg.edu/ehs/training/pathogens/
 
Training Objectives:

The objectives of this training are:

  1. Define "bloodborne pathogen", and give an example
  2. Briefly explain what is meant by the term "Universal Precautions"
  3. Recognize the sign and/or label that indicates a bloodborne pathogen hazard
  4. Give an example of a way in which a bloodborne pathogen can be transmitted from one person to another in the workplace
  5. Differentiate between an "engineering control" and a "work practice control"
  • obtain the Hepatitis B vaccination series
  • follow Standard Precautions
  • treat all human blood, tissue, and body fluids as infected