Blood Borne Pathogens
Jim Ned CISD
2009-2010
Law
Legislation was passed in 1999 requiring
all public school districts to implement
blood borne pathogen exposure control
plans according to OSHA guidelines.
 Requires school districts to provide blood
borne pathogen training to all employees
at the beginning of each school year.

Objectives
Our objectives are to:

Educate employees about Blood Borne
Pathogens (BBP)

Train employees how to protect
themselves

Continue the safety and good health of
all employees

Fulfill the law
What are Blood Borne Pathogens?

Blood Borne Pathogens are disease
producing microorganisms that can be
present in human blood and cause
diseases in humans
– Hepatitis B
– Hepatitis C
– HIV
Hepatitis B
Causes inflammation of the liver; sometimes
leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, cancer
or even death.
 Poses greatest risk of transmission because it
can live on surfaces for up to 1 week
 Each year 5,000 people die from chronic liver
disease & liver cancer caused by Hepatitis B
 Vaccine available; 3 shot series completed over
4-6 months. Required for all students

Hepatitis B

Transmitted by contact with contaminated
blood and/or body fluids.
– Needle sticks/needle sharing
– Open wounds, cuts or scrapes
– Sexual activity
– Mother to child during childbirth
– Splashing into un-intact skin or mucous
membranes of eyes, nose, or mouth
– Blood transfusions (rare)
Hepatitis B

Symptoms:
Jaundice (yellow eyes & skin due to build up
of toxins in bloodstream)
Fatigue
Abdominal Pain
Loss of appetite
Tarry stools
50% of people infected have no symptoms
Hepatitis C
Causes similar results and symptoms as
Hepatitis B.
 Spread through contact with blood/body
fluids
 85% of people with Hepatitis C have
chronic infection.
 Leading cause of liver transplants
 Approximately 3 million people in US
affected

Hepatitis C
75% of people have no symptoms for
more than 20 years while liver damage is
occurring.
 Up to 100,000 people die annually from
Hepatitis C related liver disease
 Can be transmitted during tattooing &
body piercing
 No vaccine, No cure

HIV






Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the virus that
causes AIDS.
Body’s immune system loses ability to fight off
infection.
900,000 infected in US according to CDC
Transmitted through blood/body fluids
Persons are living longer with the disease due to
many anti-viral drugs, but many strains are
showing resistance
No Vaccine, No Cure
Hepatitis A
Not considered a BBP, but worth being aware of

Hepatitis A
– Transmitted via fecal/oral route and does not lead to
chronic (long-term) liver disease like Hepatitis B & C.
– Although liver does become inflamed and swollen it
usually heals completely without liver damage.
– Once you’ve had Hepatitis A, you develop a lifelong
immunity and cannot get it again.
– Vaccine currently available and is required to start
school
How Do We Protect Ourselves?

Practice Universal/Standard Precautions:
– All blood and body fluids (except sweat) are
to be considered infected with a BBP.
– Assume everyone is infected and protect
yourself.
Protection





Follow universal precautions
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Cover open wounds, cuts, abrasions
Wash hands
Get recommended immunizations
– Hepatitis A
– Hepatitis B
The school district provides Hepatitis B vaccination to
those employees who are at high risk. See your
campus principal or school nurse for more
information.
Personal Protective Equipment
Use a barrier device when coming into contact
with ANY body fluid.
Gloves
– Be aware if you have a latex allergy
– Be careful not to touch soiled gloves when removing
Goggles
Mask
WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!
What to do if you’re exposed
Do Not Panic
 Immediately wash affected area
 Remove any contaminated clothing
 Report immediately to your campus nurse,
principal, or supervisor!!!!
 Exposure doesn’t mean infection. A large
dose of the virus must enter the
bloodstream and overcome your body’s
natural defenses first.

Other Considerations
Never eat, drink, smoke, apply make-up or
contacts, where exposure is likely
 Call custodians to clean all blood/body fluid spills
quickly
 Always dispose of sharps (needles), or broken
glass in proper container. Use broom/dust pan
to pick-up broken glass, never use hands.
 Never attempt to compact trash with hands or
feet.

Don’t Forget
Exposure occurs when an infected
individual’s blood or body fluids comes in
contact with your un-intact skin or mucous
membranes.
 If you contract a BBP you risk spreading it
to your family.

Protect yourself
Occupational Exposure
Jim Ned CISD has identified the following job classifications to be at
risk of exposure to BBP: school nurse, custodian, coach, and special
education (with students who bite frequently). The vaccine is
offered to these employees at no cost to them through the
Abilene/Taylor Co. Health Department, unless: 1) the employee has
previously received the complete Hepatitis B vaccination series,
2)antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune, or
3)that the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons.
Employees who decline the Hepatitis B vaccine must sign a
declination statement. Employees who initially decline the vaccine
but later elect to receive it may have the vaccine provided to them.
If you have any questions, concerns, or would like more information
regarding Blood Borne Pathogens or receiving the Hepatitis B
vaccination series please contact the school nurse.
Thank you
“Every human being is the author of his own
health or disease.”
-Buddha