Bloodborne Pathogens: Training for School Volunteers

1. Bloodborne Pathogens: Training for School Volunteers

2. As volunteers, it is not anticipated that you will be exposed to bloodborne pathogens while you are helping in our schools; however, as you are aware, students do get sick, get bloody noses and get cuts or scrapes. These situations may require you to be the first one to respond.

3. Bloodborne Pathogens • Bloodborne pathogens are bacteria, parasites and viruses that are carried in the bloodstream and body fluids and cause illnesses. • These pathogens can enter the body directly when the protective skin barrier is pierced, cut, or when body fluids are spread from one person to another.

4. Bloodborne Pathogens • Bloodborne pathogens can enter your body indirectly by body fluids inadvertently touch your eyes, nose or mouth. • The Bloodborne pathogens of greatest concern in the school setting are: - Hepatitis B - Hepatitis C - HIV

5. Hepatitis B and C affect more people. • These two viruses have been shown to live on dried surfaces at room temperature for many days. So…… • Great care must be taken to clean any surface. Gloves should always be used whenever you could possibly be exposed. • Always approach any and all individuals as if they could possibly be infected.

6. Hepatitis B and C • Once in the body, Hepatitis B and C attack the liver and cause it to be inflamed. • Symptoms include: - Tiredness - Loss of appetite - Nausea or vomiting - Yellow skin and eyes - Dark colored urine - Light colored stool

7. Hepatitis B and C • Although infected, most children and ½ of all adults that are infected with Hepatitis B and C never feel sick at all, but they can still pass the disease and virus to others. • 5 – 10% of adults and about 90% of babies who contract Hepatitis B become carriers and can pass the virus on to others but not have any symptoms themselves.

8. HIV • When HIV invades the body, it attacks and destroys the immune system. • This invasion leaves the body open to infections and illnesses it would normally be able to fight off.

9. HIV • Symptoms associated with HIV infection: • Fever • Swollen lymph glands • White patches on tongue, mouth, or throat • Certain cancers (such as Kaposi’s sarcoma)

10. HIV • The development of new medications and treatments for HIV have made the disease more manageable, but…. - there is still novaccine, and - there is still nocure.

11. A blood test is the ONLY way to know if you have Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV because many other diseases can cause the same symptoms.

12. Standard Precaution Measures • Standard Precautions are the preventative measures taken to prevent possible transmission of bloodborne pathogens. • This includes the use of gloves in the school setting when the possibility of exposure exists.

13. Gloves • Always wear gloves when the possibility exists that you may come in contact with blood or body fluids. • When wearing gloves as a protective barrier, take great care when removing them .

14. Removing Gloves • Grasp one glove at heel of the hand without touching the skin. • Pull the glove toward the fingertips and remove it from the hand, then… • While holding the contaminated glove in the other hand, insert the index and middle fingers of the free hand under the glove at the cuff and pull off.

15. Removing Gloves • Discard of the gloves in the waste container. • Wash hands thoroughly after removing the gloves. • If you have questions about this, please see the school nurse for a demonstration.

16. Standard Precautions • Notify an FCPS staff member immediately of blood or body fluids so it can be cleaned with the appropriate cleaning agents by the custodial staff.

17. Prevention is Key • Assume that any blood or body fluid is infectious. • Avoid blood and body fluids and create a barrier. • Wear safety gloves or use another form of protection. • If gloves are not readily available, use paper towels or tissues to use as a temporary barrier between you and the student’s blood or body fluids. Ask the student (if able) to hold the barrier in place.

18. Prevention is KeyProtect Yourself • Do not share personal hygiene items such as razors, nail files or tooth brushes because they may harbor small amounts of blood. • Use safe practices when engaging in sexual activity. • Choose a reputable artist to perform tattooing or body piercing. • Do not inject drugs.

19. Prevention is KeyProtect Yourself • Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B if you live with someone with the virus or work in an environment with frequent exposure to blood. • Note: All students in grades K - 12, unless medically unable, are now required to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B.

20. Prevention is KeyProtect Yourself • All are encouraged to get vaccinated as a preventative measure against Hepatitis B. • This includes a series of 3 injections. • The initial injection, • Another in 1 month after, • And the final injection at 6 months after the initial injection.

21. Treating Exposures • If an incident occurs that does cause blood or body fluids to contaminate pierced or broken skin: • Encourage the injury to bleed • Wash it thoroughly with soap and hot water as soon as possible for at least 3 minutes.

22. Treating Exposures • If eyes, nose or mouth are affected, generously flood the area with water for at least 15 minutes.

23. Treating Exposures • If an incident occurs with a potential exposure: • Notify the principal immediately. • As a volunteer, you are welcome to seek care at Occupational Heath Services (Corp OHS) for an evaluation or you may use your own health care provider. • The physician or nurse will determine whether follow up treatments are necessary.

24. Summary • If you have any questions regarding Bloodborne pathogens in your school setting, contact the: • School Registered Nurse. • The Principal, • Or Christa Williams, FCPS Health Specialist, at Christa.Williams@fcps.org to discuss your questions or concerns. • Please refer to FCPS regulation 200-23