Bloodborne pathogens are organisms that live in and are transferred by blood. These are infectious diseases that are passed through contact with human blood and include HIV and Hepatitis B and C. These pathogens can be passed through needle-sharing or accidental pricking and can have serious influences and consequences on human life.

Accidental contact with bloodborne pathogens is a serious issue and is being addressed by multiple healthcare agencies as well as the CDC. The three most prevalent bloodborne pathogens (HIV, HEP B, and HEP C) can have detrimental effects on human life, up to and including causing death.

While it is possible to vaccinate against Hepatitis B, there is currently no vaccine available for Hepatitis C or HIV, making it even more important to properly prepare for contact with these pathogens and learning how to reduce the risk of contact and possible infection by these dangerous microorganisms.

Who Needs to Know?

If you work in an environment where you have contact with needles, open wounds, or bodily fluids, you may be at risk of coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens. Some occupations have a greater risk of coming into contact with these pathogens, such as doctors, nurses, tattoo artists, lab workers, and any number of first responders. If you work in these industries, it can be incredibly important and beneficial to obtain an accredited training course specific to these pathogens and learn how to work with the inherent risks of your occupation safely. These courses give fundamental knowledge of how to deal with and handle bloodborne pathogens and how to analyze the risks associated with any given situation where contact is a possibility.

The Severity of Bloodborne Pathogens

While it is possible to work in and around these pathogens safely, it is imperative to do so responsibly and with caution. The problem surrounding these pathogens is often infection, which is accidental due to workers not paying close enough attention and accidentally sticking or pricking themselves with contaminated sharps.

Healthcare and laboratory workers, as well as first responders such as EMTs, are at risk of having accidental contact with these pathogens. In a moment of carelessness or an attack by a citizen, a used sharp can turn into a dangerous weapon. The CDC advises that PPE and appropriate training in dealing with sharps can alleviate the frequency of contact and infection.

This issue is so prevalent that there is an ongoing campaign called “Stop Sticks,” which refers to accidental contact with these pathogens through lack of workplace PPE and appropriate training and individual caution.

Preventing Sharps Injuries

While many occupations can come into contact with these pathogens, the prevalent occupation with inherent risks is the field of healthcare. As healthcare workers handle sharps daily and come into contact with blood and bodily fluids as part of their jobs, the risk of sharps related injuries is high.

Preventing sharps injuries is an important step to reducing accidental contact with bloodborne pathogens. Any person working in an industry with the chance of coming into contact with these pathogens should be provided appropriate PPE by their employer. Employers should provide shields, needles with sharps guards, sharps disposals, and myriad other PPE items to reduce the danger of sharps related accidents and injuries. It is also important that all frontline workers dealing with needles or bodily fluids are appropriately educated regarding the risks involved in working with these items. 

Education is the key to reducing accidental infection due to improper training for workers exposed to the risk of pathogen infection. Even if an employer does not offer this training, certification courses in dealing with infectious pathogens can be a great asset for workers. Some courses can be taken, which come with a minimal cost and time requirement.

It is important to educate yourself and those around you on how to deal with possible contact with sharps and bodily fluids that could contain these pathogens. While many people may not realize it, everyone from tattoo artists to spa workers can be exposed to these pathogens, as can their clients.

Without appropriate caution and preparation for dealing with these pathogens, the cost of individual lives can be innumerable. It is better to proceed with caution and have the appropriate knowledge surrounding these pathogens than to learn after an accident how it could have been avoided.

The primary thing to keep in mind regarding bloodborne pathogens is that they do not discriminate. Any time the skin is punctured by a contaminated item, the risk of infection is there. Avoiding these accidents and situations is the first step to ensuring contact does not happen; keeping workers and clients alike safe from infection.