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The Curious Bag
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Blood-borne pathogens are microorganisms transmitted via blood to another host. Because of their infectious nature, it is helpful to have a good definition of blood-borne pathogens.
Blood-borne
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines blood-borne as "carried or transmitted by the blood."
Pathogen
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pathogen as "a specific causative agent (as a bacterium or virus) of disease." It comes from the root "patho," meaning feeling or suffering.
Types
Some common blood-borne pathogens are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola and Marburg.
Risk of Infection
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that following an exposure, the risk of infection is determined by the pathogen involved, the type of exposure, the amount of blood involved in the exposure, and the amount of virus in the patient's blood at the time of exposure.
Avoiding Exposure
The CDC says that the best way to avoid exposure for healthcare workers is by using safer techniques, disposing of used needles in appropriate disposal containers, using medical devices with safety features designed to prevent injuries, and using appropriate barriers.
Source:
Center for Disease Control: Bloodborne Pathogens in Healthcare Settings
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