10 Questions
What is the primary function of HIV in the human body?
It attacks the immune system and makes one vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers
What is the term used to describe inflammation of the liver?
Hepatitis
Which of the following populations is at a statistically higher risk for contracting HIV?
People living in densely populated metropolitan areas
What is the name of the disease that HIV can progress to if left untreated?
AIDS
What is the estimated number of people living with HIV in the US?
1.2 million
What is the trend in the annual rate of new HIV diagnosis between 2017 and 2021?
It decreased by 7 percent
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of hepatitis C?
Sore throat
Who are at a statistically higher risk of contracting hepatitis C?
Those engaging with IV drug use, males, and people aged 20–39 or 55–70 years
How can hepatitis B be prevented?
Through a vaccination
How are bloodborne pathogens typically spread?
Through mucus membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth, or through broken skin
Study Notes
Bloodborne Pathogens
- Synovial fluid, semen, and amniotic fluids are examples of potentially infectious materials (OPIM) that can carry dangerous bloodborne pathogens.
- Bloodborne pathogens can cause harmful diseases and are a serious exposure hazard for anyone who interacts with patients or areas contaminated with bodily fluids.
The Three Most Common Bloodborne Pathogens
- The three most common bloodborne pathogens are Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
- HIV attacks the immune system, making individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers, and can progress to AIDS if left untreated.
- Hepatitis B and C are types of viral hepatitis that can cause chronic liver infection, cirrhosis, cancer, and liver failure if left untreated.
Statistics and Risk Factors
- An estimated 1.2 million people have HIV in the US, with higher risk populations including those living in densely populated metropolitan areas, Black/African American individuals, Hispanic/Latino individuals, and those engaging in male-to-male sexual contact.
- The annual rate of new HIV diagnosis decreased by 7 percent between 2017 and 2021.
- An estimated 2.4 million people in the US were living with chronic hepatitis C between 2013 and 2016, with higher risk populations including those engaging in IV drug use, males, and people aged 20–39 or 55–70 years.
- An estimated 880,000 to 1.89 million people have chronic hepatitis B in the US, with higher risk populations including people born outside of the US, those using IV drugs, and individuals engaging in male-to-male sexual contact.
Symptoms of Bloodborne Pathogens
- Symptoms of HIV include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and mouth ulcers.
- Symptoms of hepatitis C include fever, fatigue, dark urine, clay-colored stool, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, and jaundice.
- Symptoms of hepatitis B include fever, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice.
Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens
- Bloodborne pathogens are spread through contact with blood and OPIM through mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth, or through any type of broken skin.
- Sweat, saliva, urine, and tears are not inherently infectious, but bodily fluids can be hard to differentiate, so it's recommended to treat all blood and OPIM as though they are infectious.
Learn about OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard and how to prevent exposure to harmful diseases. This course covers key areas to keep you and your patients safe.
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