Blood Borne Pathogens webquest Answer key
What are the main ways the blood-borne pathogens enter the body?
The main ways in which blood borne pathogens enter the body are:
a. Through the transmission of bodily fluids
b. Sharing needles
c. Unprotected sexual intercourse
d. They can be inhaled from the air
e. A mosquito bite from an infected insect
f. Through breaks in the skin
g. Blood transfusions
h. Unclean tattoo instruments
i. Sharing toothbrushes
j. Sharing food using the same utensils
2. Is it possible to contract HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C by simply hugging a person or shaking hands
with them? Why or why not? No it is not possible. Bodily fluids must be exchanged in some
way.
3. What is the difference between HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C can only be
transmitted when the blood of an infected person enters the bloodstream of another. This can
happen using needles used by another who has the disease, getting a blood transfusion,
unprotected sex, and the sharing of toothbrushes. HIV/Aids can pass from an infected pregnant
mother to the fetus, through breast milk, in addition to the ways in which Hepatitis C is
transmitted. HIV is immune, hep c is liver
4. What are the early signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS? Some of the early signs and symptoms
of HIV/AIDS are: Fever Headache Muscle aches and joint pain Rash Sore throat Swollen lymph
glands, mainly on the neck
5. What are the signs and symptoms of Hepatitis C? Some of the signs and symptoms of
Hepatitis C are: Feeling very tired Sore muscles Joint pain Fever Nausea or poor appetite
Stomach pain Itchy skin Dark urine A yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes,
called jaundice
6. How does the HI virus cause the body’s immune system to malfunction? The HI virus attacks
the body’s immune system and infects the blood cells in the body. The infection means that the
number of white cells decreases and the number of red blood cells increases. The body is
unable to make more white blood cells and the body becomes more and more susceptible to
diseases and flu-like symptoms. It cannot ward off germs, bacteria and viruses.
7. How does HIV cause a person to develop AIDS? AIDS is the late stage of HIV. If the disease is
not treated, it will eventually lead to the patient developing AIDS. The symptoms of AIDS are:
Rapid weight loss Recurring fever or profuse night sweats Extreme and unexplained tiredness
Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck Diarrhea that lasts for
more than a week Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals Pneumonia Red, brown, pink, or
purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids Memory loss,
depression, and other neurologic disorders.