This document discusses bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. It notes that standard precautions like protective equipment and careful handling of sharps should be used with all patients as if they have a bloodborne pathogen. The chances of infection from a blood exposure are up to 30% for hepatitis B without vaccination and less than 1.8% and 0.1% for hepatitis C and HIV respectively. The document outlines steps to take after a blood exposure including washing, notifying a supervisor, and following up with infection control.

2. What are bloodborne pathogens?
 Viruses, bacteria and other critters that are
carried in a person’s bloodstream and can
cause disease.
 If you come in contact with blood infected with
a blood borne pathogen, you may become
infected as well.

3. What are examples of bloodborne
pathogens?
 Hepatitis B – a virus that attacks the liver. There is a
vaccine that will give you lifetime protection from the
hepatitis B virus. It is given in a series of 3 injections in
your arm. Over 95% of recipients develop adequate
immunity after receiving the vaccine.
 Hepatitis C – also attacks the liver. There is no vaccine
for hepatitis C.
 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – the virus that
causes AIDS. It attacks the immune system.

4. What are my chances of becoming infected if I
have serious exposure (the infected blood gets in your
blood) to one of these viruses?
 Hepatitis B – if you’ve had the vaccine, the
risk is virtually none. If you have not been
vaccinated, there is up to a 30% chance
you’ll become infected.
 Hepatitis C – there is about a 1.8% chance
you’ll become infected.
 HIV – the risk is less than 0.1%.

5. What are Standard
Precautions?
Precautions
Standard

6. What are Standard Precautions?
 Infection Control measures required by law that are
designed to promote healthcare worker safety.
 Treat each and every patient as if he or she has a
bloodborne pathogen such as HIV or hepatitis and you
protect yourself from possibly being exposed to that
patient’s blood at all times.
 This may mean wearing personal protective equipment
(PPE)such as a gown, goggles, mask, gloves when at risk
of exposure.
 It means handling sharps carefully, minimizing splashing,
using safety devices when possible, and not eating in an
area where there’s potential for exposure.

7. • The universal biohazard symbol. It
means there’s regulated waste inside:
• Items contaminated with blood/body fluid. Keep
your hands out of it!
What’s this?

8. What if I have a blood exposure?
 1. Wash the site.
 2. Notify your supervisor.
 Blood will be drawn from the source patient for
immediate testing for blood borne pathogens. You
will get results as soon as possible. If needed,
some medications may be offered to you in the
event the source patient has HIV or Hepatitis B.
 3. Follow up with Infection Control.
 Infection Control will make sure you have the test
results and understand what they mean. If you
need further testing, Infection Control will notify you
when it’s time to be tested.

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