East Carolina University
Department of Recreational
Services
Student Leadership Seminar
Program
BLOODBORNE
PATHOGENS
Definitions
• Blood borne
pathogens are
pathogenic microorganisms that are
present in human
blood and can cause
disease in humans.
Examples include but
are not limited to,
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis
C, and HIV
Why do you need to know
about Blood Borne
Pathogens ?
Two Reasons
• For your own safety and
protection
• The federal government
mandates annual update
training for anyone at
risk of coming into
contact with blood, or
body fluids
General Considerations
• Treat all body fluids
as if they were
infected.
• Follow Standard
Precautions to
ensure occupational
safety
• Update training at
least annually to
maintain
occupational safety
Blood Borne Pathogens
• Examples of
Potentially infectious
body fluids include
–
–
–
–
–
Blood
Semen
Spinal fluid
Fecal Matter
Any body fluid that is
visibly contaminated
with blood
• Common Modes
of accidental
transmission
– Accidental puncture
– Contact between
broken skin and
infected body fluids
– Contact between
mucous membranes
and infected body
fluids
Modes of Transmission
• BBP’s can enter your
system through:
– OPEN SORES
– CUTS
– ABRASIONS
– ACNE
– SUNBURNS or
BLISTERS
• BBP’s may also be
transmitted through
mucous membranes
of the:
– EYES
– NOSE
– MOUTH
Hepatitis B
• Dangers
– 20% chance of infection with percutaneous
exposure to positive source
– Only 1/3 of patients have symptoms
– Replicates in the liver
– Cause liver dysfunction
Risk Factors
– Sexual activity with multiple partners
– IV drug use
A Hepatitis B vaccine is available
Hepatitis C
Risk Factors
Dangers
- Sexual activity with
multiple partners
- IV Drug use
- Tattooing
- Body piercing
- Shared nasal cocaine
use
- Blood transfusion
prior to 1990
- No vaccine or cure
- 8-10 thousand
annual deaths
- Causes liver damage,
cirrhosis and liver
cancer
- Most common
chronic BBP in the
U.S.
HIV
• What do I need to know about HIV?
– HIV is a blood borne disease. It is like
hepatitis and syphilis in that it can be
sexually transmitted.
– NC ranks in the top 10 states for reporting
new cases of HIV. Pitt County is #2 in the
state.
– THERE IS NO CURE OR VACCINE FOR HIV!
Syphilis
Things you need to know
• NC ranks in the top 5 states in the
nation for the past 20 years in reporting
case of Syphilis
• Transmitted by sexual contact or by
infected human blood or tissue
exposure
• Syphilis is treatable, but can persist
long term if not treated
Protecting Yourself
• Use Standard Precautions
• Learn the ECU Student Rec
Center, Exposure Control Plan
Standard Precautions
• MINIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE BY ALWAYS
KEEPING A BARRIER BETWEEN YOU AND
THE VICTIM
– WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR AT ALL TIMES
– UTILIZE POCKET MASKS
– WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY DURING
YOUR SHIFTS
– PROPER DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED
MATERIAL---BIOHAZARD CONTAINERS
Body Fluid Spills
• In the event of a body fluid spill (blood or
other fluid on the floor, pool deck or fitness
machine)
– Remove customers from the immediate
area
– Clean the area using appropriate cleaning
solution
– Always utilize barriers to protect
yourself from accidental exposure
Disposal of Contaminated
Materials
• Always use a protective barrier between you
and the fluid and/or victim.
• All contaminated materials used in first aid
and clean up (rags, towels, gauze, gloves,
etc) should be placed in an orange
BIOHAZARD BAG and properly disposed of
in the BIOHAZARD CONTAINER.
• DO NOT PLACE SOILED RAGS AND
TOWELS IN THE WASHER.
– Dispose of them in BIOHAZARD
CONTAINERS.
Exposure Control Plan
When blood or
body fluids are
spilled you need
to use the ECU
Student Rec
Center Exposure
Control Plan
Put up a Barrier
Before you get
near any blood or
body fluid put on
latex gloves, and
any other needed
protective gear
First-Aid
When giving firstaid you should
wear gloves at all
times and put on
new gloves when
you give first aid
to a new victim
Remove Customers
Always keep
members away
from bloody or
contaminated
area until it can
be clean
Spray Area
Spray area with
the A-428
disinfect spray
before you start
to clean up the
area (in case of a
large spill first
wipe up with
regular soap &
water, then clean
with disinfectant)
Place In Biohazard Bag
Place all towels,
rags, etc; with
blood or body
fluids on them in
a orange
biohazard bag
Carefully Remove Gloves
Slowly & carefully
remove gloves
last, so that you
do not touch the
outer part of the
gloves
Biohazardous Bin
After everything
is in the orange
bag, tie a knot in
it and place it in
the Biohazardous
bin behind the
customer service
desk, field house,
or equipment
room of
Christenbury
Wash Your Hands
Before your start
back to work
wash your hands
with warm water
and soap
ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE
• IF YOU ARE EXPOSED, YOU SHOULD:
– Wash the exposed area thoroughly with
copious amounts of soap and running water.
– Contaminated eyes and mucous membranes
should be irrigated for 15 minutes using
normal saline or water.
– Report Exposure to your supervisor and/or
facility manager Immediately.
– Then call the Office of Prospective Health at 7442070.
Accidental Exposure cont.
• Get the Name, phone number, &
address (local & home) of the victim
• This information needs to be give to
supervisor or Coordinator of Safety
Services so they contact the person
who had the body fluid spill and have
them come in for testing
RECAP
• ALWAYS USE A PROTECTIVE BARRIER
BETWEEN YOURSELF AND POTENTIALLY
INFECTIOUS MATERIALS!
• One careless mistake could expose you or our
customers to deadly diseases.
• Dispose of contaminated material properly to
ensure the safety of our customers and our
staff.
• THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!
• PROTECT YOURSELF!
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a disease which is spread when
individuals with TB disease cough/sneeze,
speak, or spit and release TB bacteria into the
air where un-infected individuals can breathe
it.
cont.
What’s the difference between TB
infection & TB disease?
TB infection (called latent tb infection) means
that you have, at some time, been exposed to
someone with “infectious TB” and developed
the infection. You will not show symptoms
and you will not have the ability to infect
others. Your TB skin test is positive.
TB disease (called active tb disease) means you
will show symptoms, and you will be
infectious! (positive TB skin test, positive
symptoms and positive chest x-ray).
cont...
How do you test for TB?
 A test called a TB skin test or PPD. The test
will show if you have any TB bacteria in your
body, even if you do not have TB disease.
 All employees or students that are potentially
exposed to TB need to receive a skin test
annually.
What are symptoms of TB disease?
 Most common is a persistent cough lasting >2
weeks, fever, chills, weakness, weight loss, no
appetite.
cont...
What if I have Latent TB infection?
• Many healthy people with TB infection will
never develop TB disease. These people should
be familiar with the signs and symptoms of TB
disease.
• People need to be evaluated for prophylaxis
medications at the health department or a
private physician.
cont.
What if I am diagnosed with TB disease?
You can not work until you are not infectious.
You will receive several medicines which will
eventually kill all the TB bacteria in your body.
It is very important to take these medicines
exactly as instructed by your physician- and it
is required BY LAW!