Bloodborne pathogens pose a significant risk to your health. Viruses and bacteria can easily spread through blood and bodily fluids, causing a wide range of diseases. Fortunately, there are steps you may take to lower your chance of contracting infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. 

How Are People Exposed to Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogen exposure can occur in a variety of ways, all of which are potentially harmful to your health. People are commonly exposed in the following ways:

• Direct contact with contaminated blood. Infected blood or body fluid from one individual can be spread through an entrance point during direct contact.
• Contact with contaminated blood. This happens when a person comes into contact with infectious blood or bodily fluids. This can happen when picking up a blood-splattered object, cleaning an area where blood or bodily fluids are present, or inappropriately handling blood.
• Transmission of respiratory droplets. This occurs when a person inhales droplets from an infected individual through a sneeze, cough, or similar function.
• Vector-borne disease transmission. This happens when a person becomes infected by an indirect source or carrier, such as a bug bite.

Preventing Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

Simple precautions can help limit your exposure to bloodborne diseases:

• When possible, avoid contact with blood and bodily fluids.
• When handling blood or body fluids, always use disposable gloves.
• Remove gloves without touching the contaminated area of the glove and place them in the appropriate containers.
• Cover any cuts and scrapes.
• When performing mouth-to-mouth, use a CPR mask.
• Even if gloves were worn, wash your hands before and after handling blood or bodily fluids. When washing with warm water and soap is not possible, use a sanitizer.
• Sharp disposal containers should be used for used needles.

Pathogens transmitted by blood are a big problem. You can protect yourself from the inadvertent transmission of bloodborne pathogens and other common pathogens by following the guidelines above.

Call Restoration 1 of Southwest Florida for extra protection. Our biohazard cleaning services aid with risk reduction, infection control and prevention, and environmental improvement by employing best practices and procedures published by industry leaders. Contact us today to see how we can assist you with mitigating bloodborne pathogen exposure.