Transmitting Bloodborne Pathogens
The transmission of bloodborne pathogens occurs through direct or indirect exposure to infected body fluids. The primary ways exposure to bloodborne pathogens occur in an occupational setting are through:
- Non-intact skin, such as a cut
- Mucous membranes of eyes, nose, or mouth
- Puncture wound from contaminated object
Outside an occupational setting, the common modes of bloodborne pathogen transmission are sexual contact and shared hypodermic needles.
Casual contact like shaking hands or hugging does not transmit bloodborne pathogens. Direct contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials can cause an exposure incident. Indirect contact with an intermediate object such as a work surface or door knob that has been contaminated with body fluids can also cause an exposure incident.
Body fluids that have a risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens in an occupational setting include blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
Semen and vaginal secretions can also transmit pathogens during sexual contact.
In the absence of visible blood, some body fluids have no documented risk of transmission. However, during an emergency, you may not be able to tell which fluids you are handling or whether an injury has mixed them with blood. It is best to simply consider all body fluids as potentially infectious.
Knowledge Check
The primary ways exposure to bloodborne pathogens occur in an occupational setting is through:
•Non-intact skin, such as a cut or abrasion
•Mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth; or
•Puncture wound from a sharp, contaminated object, such as a syringe or broken glass
Ok, that was a lot! Before moving on to the EpiPen and the quiz, let’s do an overview video!