Ocean Companies Safety Tip of the Week – Blood-borne Pathogens
Blood-borne Pathogens
Blood-borne pathogens are micro-organisms in the blood or other body fluids that can cause illness and disease in people. These micro-organisms can be transmitted through contact with contaminated blood and other bodily fluids.
The most common diseases spread by bodily fluids are:
- Hepatitis B (HBV) – An infectious inflammatory illness of the liver
- Hepatitis C (HCV) – A viral disease that leads to inflammation of the liver
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) – A viral disease that gradually destroys the immune system, which makes it harder for the body to fight infections.
- Hemorrhagic fevers – Hemorrhage is the medical term for bleeding, usually excessive bleeding. Hemorrhagic diseases are caused by, or result in bleeding. Most hemorrhagic fevers e.g. Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, etc.; are fairly uncommon in the USA.
Blood-borne pathogens are most frequently transferred by the following methods:
- Blood transfusions (not common in the United States)
- Direct contact with blood in health care settings
- Sexual contact with an infected person
- Tattoo or acupuncture with unclean needles or instruments
- Shared needles during drug use
- Shared personal items (such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers) with an infected person
Many blood-borne diseases can be lethal, and it is impossible to tell what pathogens any given blood or other bodily fluids contain, so they all should be treated as if they carry infectious disease. You must protect yourself if you come in contact with any bodily fluids, including blood. You may have to help someone who has been injured, or you may be the one who has to clean up after an injury.
Always remember to protect yourself first! Use Latex or Nitrile gloves; a face shield or other eye protection; and if at all possible a gown or other disposable garb. If you are cleaning up after an injury, remember to use a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, saturate the area and let it sit for about 15 minutes, clean area and place cleaning rags in a plastic bag, and lightly spray area again and let air dry. Remove your gloves and place them in the same plastic bag and double bag the waste. Call your local non-emergency number for the fire department and ask what the proper disposal protocol for your area is and follow it. Remember to wash your hands, face and any other area that may have been affected during clean up. Scrub good and for no less than 20 seconds!
This is a serious subject, and a more than a little frightening, but there are a lot of myths to debunk. Pathogens are not transmitted by touching an infected person; through coughing or sneezing; by using the same equipment, materials, toilets, water fountains or showers.
Remember, using good personal hygiene and safe work practices are your best defenses.
Sources: PubMed Health, Bloodborne Pathogens, Wikipedia – Blood-borne Disease
– Cherie
