Blood-borne pathogens (BBP) are spread by exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM), which includes semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, any body fluid with visible blood, any unidentifiable body fluid, and saliva from dental procedures. Since all SHS employees could be exposed to patients with BBP infections, all SHS employees need to be aware of these infections.

The most common BBPs are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infect the liver and can cause liver failure, liver cancer and death. HIV causes AIDS. 

There is a vaccine available to protect against Hepatitis B, but there are no vaccines to protect against Hepatitis C or HIV. Thus, the most important way to prevent infection by all of these BBPs is to prevent exposure to them. 

Test Question 
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Blood-borne pathogens (BBPs) include which of the following: