About Blood Borne Pathogens

Needlestick injuries and other sharps-related injuries which expose workers to bloodborne pathogens continues to be an important public health concern. Workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. First aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, nurses and other healthcare providers are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure. Whatcom Occupational Health’s clinicians and doctors are skilled as first responders.

Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted when contaminated blood or body fluids enter the body of another person. This can occur through a number of pathways, such as:

• An accidental puncture by a sharp object contaminated with the pathogen. "Sharps" include objects such as:
• needles
• scalpels
• broken glass
• razor blades
• Open cuts or skin abrasions coming in contact with contaminated blood or body fluids
• Sexual contact
• Indirect transmission (a person touches dried or caked on blood and then touches the eyes, mouth, nose or an open cut) (HBV only)

There are also many ways that these diseases are not transmitted. For instance bloodborne pathogens are not transmitted by touching an infected person, through coughing or sneezing or by using the same equipment, materials, toilets, water fountains or showers as an infected person. It is important that people are treated within two hours of contact. Whatcom Occupational Health recognizes the importance of timely responses and for this reason, takes walk in cases.