BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS Tamara James, RN, BSN, MSN Director of Nursing-Hobbs Schools

BLOODBORNE DISEASES • Microorganisms are carried in blood and cause disease • Many diseases but OSHA training deals mainly with Hepatitis B (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HEPATITIS B (HBV) • Approximately 300,000 cases per year in the US • Small % are fatal • Hepatitis means inflammation of liver • HBV spread mainly through blood to blood contact • Can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer

No cure or treatment for HBV • Can develop antibodies which help get over the infection and protect from getting it again • Many types of Hepatitis • Can have different types of Hepatitis at the same time • Can survive in blood for up to 7 days

HBV Symptoms • Mild flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea • As disease progresses-jaundice and dark urine most likely occur • After exposure, may take 1-9 months before symptoms develop

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) • AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by HIV • Once infected with HIV, it may take years for AIDS to develop • HIV weakens the body so it cannot fight other diseases • AIDS is fatal, treatment is improving, but still no cure

Average of 50,000 newly infected people each year in the US • As of 2011, 1.1 million people in US living with HIV/AIDS in the US • As of 2010, 34.2 million people living globally with HIV/AIDS • In 2010, 1.8 million deaths from HIV/AIDS were recorded world wide • Numbers could be higher because not all people know they have the disease-1 in 6 have not been diagnosed

HIV is fragile and will not survive long outside the body • Estimated that the chance of contracting the disease is 0.4%. However, because it is such a devastating disease, all precautions must be taken to avoid exposure

HIV-Stages • 1st stage-when person is infected-may have no or few symptoms for many years • 2nd stage-swollen lymph glands or persons are diagnosed with lesser diseases that the body cannot fight • 3rd stage-AIDS-unable to fight diseases and infections lead to death (usually pneumonia)

HIV-symptoms • Symptoms vary • Weakness • Fever • Sore throat • Nausea • Headaches • Diarrhea • White coating on tongue • Weight loss • Swollen lymph glands • If exposed and develop any symptoms, seek healthcare immediately

Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS

MODES OF TRANSMISSION • INFECTED BLOOD • SEMEN • VAGINAL SECRETIONS • CEREBROSPINAL FLUID • SYNOVIAL FLUID • PERITONEAL FLUID • AMNIOTIC FLUID • SALIVA (in dental procedures) • ANY BODY FLUID THAT IS VISIBLY CONTAMINATED • Exposure mainly during first aid and cleaning

Transmission most commonly through: • Sexual contact • Sharing of needles • From mothers to babies at/before birth • Accidental puncture from contaminated needles, broken glass or other sharp objects-such as safety pins, pens, pencils • Contact between broken or damaged skin and infected body fluids-pushing down trash that could hide a contaminated sharp • Contact between mucous membranes and infected body fluids

Unbroken skin provides a barrier • Infected blood can enter your system through: • Open sores • Cuts • Abrasions • Acne • Sunburn/blisters • Mucous membranes of eyes, nose and mouth-if you touch a contaminated surface a pathogen could enter your body by rubbing your eye or touching your nose

STANDARD PRECAUTIONS • A prevention strategy in which all blood is considered to be infectious and is treated as such

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) • Gloves, goggles, face shields, gowns • To protect yourself • Essential to have a barrier between you and the potentially infectious material • Always wear in an exposure • Remove and replace if torn or punctured • Remove before leaving area • Goggles and face shields with splashing risk

HANDWASHING • Most important item to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens • Use antibacterial soap • Wash 10-20 seconds (sing happy birthday) and scrub all surfaces • Rinse well and dry • If no sink, use antiseptic cleanser until sink is available

Wash hands immediately after exposure to blood and after removing gloves • If working in an area where there is likelihood of exposure, DO NOT eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics, or handle contacts • Never put food where potentially infectious hazardous materials are found

CLEANING • Clean infectious material with 1:10 household bleach and water (1/4 cup per gallon) • Lysol or other EPA registered tuberculocidal disinfectant • Cover spill with paper towels, pour bleach over towel and leave 10 minutes • Pathogens are killed before you start wiping up, covering reduces risk of splashing

Custodial staff will clean spills if they are notified • Never use a student to clean a spill or handle blood of another student

SHARPS AND NEEDLES • Needles and sharps (broken glass) must be disposed of in sharps containers (NEVER in a trashcan) • Sharps containers are red and are located in the nurses offices throughout the district • Broken glass should be swept or brushed into a dustpan, never handled using hands

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE • Use standard precautions • If exposure, wash area thoroughly with soap and water • If splashed in eye or mucous membrane, flush with running water for at least 15 minutes • Report exposure to your principal/supervisor and contact Idania Hernandez at Central office to fill out accident form

HEPATITIS VACCINE • Employee may request blood testing and Hep B vaccine in case of exposure • Hepatitis B vaccine is a three series vaccine that is covered under the HMS insurance plans • First dose, one month later is the second dose, third dose is at lease five months later • These help to build immunity to the Hep B virus

REMINDERS • Gloves in all buildings-WEAR WHEN NEEDED • Elementary schools have first aid kits in rooms and fanny packs for recess • First aid kits in selected secondary classes such as home economics, shop, etc… • Don’t use hands or feet to push down overflowing trash cans and hold trash away from your body • HANDWASHING is essential protection

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS