Annual Bloodborne Pathogens Training Hyde County Schools

Annual Training on Bloodborne Pathogens  Required by OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.  A copy of this standard can be found online at wadisp.show_document?p_table=sta ndards&p_id=10051

Bloodborne Pathogens-Definition  Organisms found in the blood and/or body fluids of an infected person that can cause illness or disease and sometimes even death.  Learning about bloodborne pathogens and how they are transmitted can help you protect yourself from exposure to these deadly diseases.

Bloodborne Pathogens  Include but are not limited to…  Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)  Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)  Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

HIV  A virus that attacks a person’s immune system therefore disabling the infected person’s ability to fight off infection.  An infected person can go on to develop AIDS.  There is no cure for HIV or vaccine to prevent HIV.  An infected person is infectious from the time they are infected for the rest of their lives even though they may not show symptoms of illness for years.

HIV-Symptoms  Persons infected with HIV may show no symptoms for years.  The only way to know for sure if you are infected with HIV is to have your blood tested.  Some symptoms include rapid weight loss, dry cough, night sweats, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, lesions in the mouth or throat, pneumonia.

HIV  For more information about HIV you can visit the CDC website… 

Hepatitis B and C  Hepatitis B and C are both viruses that cause damage to the liver.  Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis may include juandice, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain.

Hepatitis B  It is 100 times more infectious than HIV.  There is no cure and it can be fatal.  Hepatitis B can survive on surfaces for a week or longer.  There is a vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B infection.  For more information about the Hepatitis B vaccine you can visit the CDC website.  statements/hep-b.html

Hepatitis C  There is no cure for Hepatitis C and it can cause death.  There is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C.

How Are Bloodborne Pathogens Transmitted?  Through contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person.  The virus must get into your body through an open cut, scratch or other wound, through your eyes, nose, mouth or through unprotected sexual contact.

Exposure Control Plan  Hyde County Schools has an Exposure Control Plan for Employees.  Copies of the Exposure Control Plan can be found in the Principal’s offices of each school and in the school nurse’s office.

Work Practice Controls  Use “Universal Precautions”-Treat all blood and body fluid as if it is contaminated with dangerous pathogens.  Minimize splashing, spraying or spattering of blood and body fluids.

Work Practice Controls  Wash your hands every time you come in contact with blood or body fluids, every time you remove dirty gloves or other personal protective equipment, before and after handling food, before returning to work after using the restroom and after handling garbage or waste products.

Work Practice Controls  Use hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes when there is no access to soap and water but wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

Work Practice Controls  Treat all needles, glass and sharp objects as if they may be contaminated with dangerous pathogens.  Never recap needles.  Never pick up potentially contaminated sharps with your hands. Use a broom and dustpan or other mechanical means.

Work Practice Controls  Always wear gloves when it is possible to come in contact with another person’s blood or bodily fluids.  Never reuse disposable gloves and never use damaged gloves.

Work Practice Controls  Use personal protective equipment such as protective eyewear, masks, gowns or aprons if there is a risk of blood or bodily fluids splattering in your face or on your clothes.  Use disposable barriers when providing emergency resuscitation.

Believe You’ve Been Exposed?  Wash the exposed area as soon as possible.  Report the incident to your supervisor.