Bloodborne illnesses, characterised by the presence of bloodborne pathogens, are infectious microorganisms in the blood that cause disease in humans and are spread by contaminated blood. Among the many bloodborne pathogens are Hepatitis B, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Hepatitis C.
Thanks to advances in medicine and other appropriate measures such as proper disposal of medical waste and sharps, as well as bloodborne pathogens training , bloodborne illnesses are now better managed. But it still poses an inherent risk to medical workers dealing with patients who suffer from such, as well as their accompanying specimens. To eliminate and control the risk of spreading, it’s important to be well-informed about bloodborne illnesses.
1. How Bloodborne Pathogens Are Spread
Generally, the ways by which bloodborne pathogens are most commonly spread is through sexual transmission and IV drug use. In addition to the two most common forms of transmission, any contact with the infected blood may already carry the risk of a potential infection.
This is the reason why when dealing with blood samples or bleeding, pathology nurses and other medical professionals are so careful. Even a simple injury due to a sharp object (such as a syringe, syrette or cannula may transfer a bloodborne pathogen.
Specific examples of how contamination can happen include:
- Accidental (or worse, intentional) punctures with infected needles and other sharp objects
- Contact between infected body fluids and mucous membranes
- Transmission between mothers to their babies before and after birth
- Contact between areas of broken or damaged skin
2. How To Protect Yourself
Given the highly infectious and dangerous nature of bloodborne diseases, it’s important to learn and understand how to protect yourself. You don’t have control over the people around you, particularly when you work in a naturally hazardous workplace, but you have control over how you can protect yourself.
In this regard, there are two main areas of protection you should look into:
- Attitude. Even if you don’t work in a hospital or medical laboratory, it’s important to never let your guard down around blood. This means having that mindset of treating blood and other bodily fluids you come in contact with as potentially infectious.
- Housekeeping. This refers to the cleaning and decontaminating of all the affected areas. Disinfect any surfaces that may have smears or remnants of blood or other bodily fluids. Proper housekeeping practices also entail the appropriate disposal of body fluids and blood. When it comes to cleaning and decontaminating, the best cleaning solution is one that’s a mixture of one part bleach to ten parts water.
To support the points above, here’s a breakdown of some of the most important tips so you can keep yourself protected in the workplace:
- Treat any bodily fluids, blood, and spills like they’re all infectious.
- Place any potentially infectious and contaminated materials in a closable bag or container. Upon disposal, those bags should also be marked RED with a BIOHAZARD label if possible.
- Should you find the need to perform CPR on a stranger, family member, or workmate, be sure to protect yourself first before starting the procedure.
- Don’t eat in your work area. The germs in your workplace can make it to your mouth and into your body.
- Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment when dealing with bodily fluids.
- After removing your personal protective equipment, don’t let your guard down. Take the extra precaution of washing your hands and other possibly exposed body parts with soap and water.
3. What Are Most Common Types Of Bloodborne Illnesses?
As briefly highlighted in the introduction, there are three common types of bloodborne illnesses. These are:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). When a patient suffers from HIV, what happens is the virus disables the body’s immune system until the point when it’ll no longer be able to fight the infection. The early signs a person might be suffering from HIV include weight loss, flu-like symptoms, persistent low-grade fever, and night sweats.
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Unfortunately, HBV is a chronic, incurable bloodborne illness that may cause damage to the liver and eventually lead to death. Common symptoms of HBV include nausea, jaundice, fever, and abdominal pain.
- Hepatitis C Virus (HBC). Like HBV, HBC can also cause serious liver damage leading to death. This is very hard to detect as some patients may not even manifest any symptoms at all.
4. What Other Body Fluids Can Carry Bloodborne Pathogens
While its name suggests that the infection is through blood alone, this isn’t the only way by which an individual can get infected with a bloodborne illness. Other fluids that are just as capable of spreading bloodborne pathogens if not handled carefully.
Bodily fluids capable of transmitting disease and infection include:
- Semen;
- Any fluid which has been contaminated by an unidentified blood source
- Vaginal secretions
- Saliva
- Cerebrospinal fluid
- Amniotic fluid
5. What To Do If You’re Exposed
It’s also important to be armed with information on what you should do if you’re exposed to a needlestick injury or potentially contaminated bodily fluids.
In those instances, be mindful to do the following:
- Have a post-exposure evaluation with your doctor. This is vital. You’ll likely have blood drawn for testing and may be prescribed prophylactic medications to halt or slow any potential infection.
- Flush the exposed body part with warm water, then wash with soap. Be sure to vigorously rub your skin to clear it from any possible contaminants.
- If you have an open wound, squeeze it gently to make it bleed. That way, you can wash off the potentially contaminated blood.
Bloodborne illnesses should never be taken lightly. Health workers, in particular, should be extra cautious in dealing with patients suffering from bloodborne illnesses, but everyone should be cautious around bodily fluids.
Technology has done a great deal to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from bloodborne illnesses, but this doesn’t mean there is no danger. Medical technology can only do so much, so it’s up to people to ensure they’re equipped to avoid contracting and spreading bloodborne diseases.
If you’ve been exposed to bodily fluids or have experienced a needlestick injury, you should immediately schedule an appointment to see a doctor . The fastest and easiest way to search for and book healthcare appointments online is through MyHealth1st.