Beginning of the Year Inservice Blood Borne Pathogens

Blood borne Pathogens for Schools As a school employee, you must react to emergencies not only with your heart but with your head. Know the facts and take precautions to protect yourself. Students, co-workers and loved ones are counting on you!

Standard Precautions Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious. Critical because it is impossible to tell who is infected with HBV, HCV, or HIV by appearances. Many have no knowledge or symptoms of their disease.

Blood-borne Pathogens Blood and body fluid exposure can make you more likely to contract a serious disease. The viruses that put you at risk are: •Hepatitis B •Hepatitis C •HIV

Hepatitis B Transmitted through contaminated blood & body fluids via sexual contact, mucous membranes, broken skin, and needle sticks Infection of the liver Can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure, and death 20% risk of infection with a contaminated sharp HBV is 100 times more infectious than HIV, has no cure, and can be fatal Virus can survive in dried blood up to 7 days HBV is the only blood borne disease with a vaccine available for protection

Symptoms of Hepatitis B Fatigue Loss of appetite, nausea Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) Fever Abdominal pain, joint pain 30% have no symptoms Preventable

Hepatitis C Most common chronic blood borne infection in US Causes liver inflammation, liver damage, liver failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer Leading reason for liver transplants 2% risk of infection by contaminated sharp HCV infected individuals often show no signs or symptoms HCV is a slow progressing disease that may take 10-40 years to cause serious liver damage

Symptoms of Hepatitis C Same as Hepatitis B May occur within 2 weeks to many years 85% don’t know they are infected There is NO vaccine and NO cure for Hepatitis C!

HIV/AIDS Caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Immune system is suppressed if not absent which causes person to be susceptible to all opportunistic infections General Symptoms are: swollen lymph glands, sore throat, night sweats, weight loss, frequent colds/illnesses, and flu-like symptoms. Spread through contact with mucous membranes & contaminated blood/body fluids, (sexual contact, IV drug use, tattoos & body piercings) Spread from mother to baby during childbirth, and through breast milk

HIV/AIDS Facts A chronic life-long disease Some people will become HIV positive , but never develop AIDS 1 in 5 people are unaware they are even infected HIV can only live for a few hours once it dries outside the body There is no cure for HIV/AIDS

Please watch the video on proper disposal of contaminated How do I protect myself? Please watch the video on proper disposal of contaminated gloves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4gyNAsPCbU -Ng-NNs

•Get your HBV vaccine. •Treat every person as if they have an infectious disease •Always wear gloves when dealing with injuries/illnesses that involve blood or body fluids •Wash your hands immediately after you take care of a person who is bleeding even if you wear gloves. •Cover any broken skin or rashes with a bandage. •Call the custodians to clean any blood/body fluid spills (Do not touch blood even if it is dry)

What if I am exposed? Wash with soap and water Splash, rinse or flush mucous membrane or other contaminated area such the eyes with water for 15 min. Seek medical attention if indicated

Post Exposure Follow Up Follow Haywood County School’s Policy for Exposure Complete appropriate forms referenced in your school’s exposure control plan Confidentiality is maintained

When to Wash Hands When to Wash Hands •Before and after touching someone or something potentially infectious •After removing gloves •After handling potentially infectious material •After using the bathroom •Before eating, smoking, applying cosmetics, contact lenses handling

Hand washing Wash hands with warm water and soap Wash long enough to be able to sing the “Happy Birthday Song” or ABC song twice (about 20 seconds) Lather well spreading to back of hands and between fingers. Rinse and dry well. Turn off water with a dry paper towel to avoid recontamination of the hands Use Alcohol based hand sanitizer when unable to get to a sink.

Wash all surfaces thoroughly between the back of hands www.publicheetlth va_govllnfecblonDontPa&sltOn

Blood borne Pathogens

Reducing the Risks Research shows that proper safety precautions greatly reduce the risk of coming into contact with blood borne pathogens. To reduce your risk: Handle all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious. Dispose of sharps (needles) safely. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when exposed to blood and body fluids. Clean and disinfect areas possibly contaminated with infectious materials with the proper cleaning agent or with a mixture of bleach and water (one part household bleach to 10 parts water). Get the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Equipment that protects you from contact with blood or other potentially infected material (PIM) include: Gloves Gowns, Aprons, Lab Coats Face Shields, Protective Eye Wear Masks, Mouthpieces, Resuscitation Bags

Contact your school nurse Questions? Contact your school nurse