Community Health Nurse Specialist Southwest region Blood Borne Pathogens Community Health Nurse Specialist Southwest region

What is a BB Pathogen? Microorganisms that are carried in the blood that can cause disease in humans

Common Blood Borne Pathogens STD’s MRSA HPV Hepatitis B Hepatitis C HIV/AIDS

Potentially Infectious Bodily Fluids Skin tissue, cell cultures Any other bodily fluid Blood Saliva Vomit Urine Semen or vaginal secretions

Transmission Possible Body Fluid + Entry into Body Transmission Blood Semen Vaginal secretions Breast milk Mucous Membrane Needle Broken Skin Sex The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids.

Transmission Potential Contact with another person’s blood or bodily fluid that may contain blood Mucous membranes: eyes, mouth, nose, any opening to the body Non-intact skin Contaminated sharps/needles

Inflammation of the Liver Hepatitis Inflammation of the Liver

Function of the Liver Stores sugar needed for energy Absorbs good nutrients Breaks down poisons (toxins) and drugs Makes important proteins that help build new tissue and repair broken tissue Produces bile, which helps remove waste from the body

Symptoms of Hepatitis Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Abdominal pain (A, B, & C) Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Abdominal pain Dark urine Vomiting Jaundice (yellowing of skin and/or eyes) Diarrhea Light colored stools

Hepatitis A Transmission: Symptoms: Treatment: Chronic Infection: fecal-oral Symptoms: tiredness, muscle weakness, pain in joints, nausea, fever, jaundice; Treatment: immune globulin if within two weeks; self-limiting. Chronic Infection: no chronic infection Vaccine available for Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B Transmission: Symptoms: Chronic Infection: Vaccine blood, semen, vaginal fluids, saliva; over 100 times easier to transmit than HIV Symptoms: tiredness, muscle weakness, pain in joints, nausea, fever, jaundice Chronic Infection: 10% develop chronic infection Can cause liver cell damage; Cirrhosis; liver cancer Vaccine available for Hepatitis B-Strongly recommend

Hepatitis B Vaccination available since 1982 HBV can survive for at least one week in dried blood Symptoms can occur 1-9 months after exposure 1—1.25 million Americans are chronically infected May lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and death

Hepatitis C Transmission: Symptoms: Treatment: Chronic Infection: blood (minimally through sexual fluids) approximately 80% of IV drug users infected Symptoms: tiredness, muscle weakness, pain in joints, nausea, fever, jaundice; Hep C often has no symptoms for over 20 years Treatment: if chronic interferon (ribovirin) Chronic Infection: 90% develop chronic infection Can cause liver cell damage; Cirrhosis; liver cancer NO VACCINE

Hepatitis C (HCV) Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood borne infection in the United States 90% infected lead to chronic liver disease and death

HIV/ AIDS HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Acquired – means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV). Immunodeficiency – means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system. Syndrome – refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system. Diagnosis of AIDS when T-Cells are below 200.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS HIV depletes the immune system HIV does not survive well outside the body No threat on contracting HIV through casual contact CDC estimates that over one million Americans are living with HIV, and 24 to 27% of these people are unaware of their HIV infection. 

Universal Precautions Universal Precautions is an approach to infection control. According to the concept of Universal Precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens. Also known as “Standard Precautions”

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Anything that is used to protect a person from exposure Latex gloves, goggles, CPR mouth barriers

Decontamination When cleaning up surfaces use 1/10 bleach solution Do an initial wipe up Spray and allow it to stand for ten minutes then wipe up Dispose of all wipes or PPE in biohazard containers (if available). If not double bag.

Hand Washing Wash hands immediately after removing PPE Use a soft antibacterial soap A hand sanitizer can be used but wash with soap and water as soon as possible.

If it is warm, wet, and NOT yours…. Remember… If it is warm, wet, and NOT yours…. DO NOT TOUCH IT!

Sources Center for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/qa2.htm Oklahoma State University http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/kopykit/bbpath04.ppt#256,1,Oklahoma State University