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

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

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

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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Inflammation of the Liver
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the Liver

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

18. 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.

19. 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. 

20. 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”

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

22. 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.

23. 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.

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

25. Sources Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Oklahoma State University
State University