East Carolina University Department of Recreational Services Student Leadership Seminar Program BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Definitions Blood borne pathogens are pathogenic micro- organisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. Examples include but are not limited to, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV

Why do you need to know about Blood Borne Pathogens ? Two Reasons For your own safety and protection The federal government mandates annual update training for anyone at risk of coming into contact with blood, or body fluids

General Considerations Treat all body fluids as if they were infected. Follow Standard Precautions to ensure occupational safety Update training at least annually to maintain occupational safety

Blood Borne Pathogens Examples of Potentially infectious body fluids include –Blood –Semen –Spinal fluid –Fecal Matter –Any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood Common Modes of accidental transmission –Accidental puncture –Contact between broken skin and infected body fluids –Contact between mucous membranes and infected body fluids

Modes of Transmission BBP’s can enter your system through: –OPEN SORES –CUTS –ABRASIONS –ACNE –SUNBURNS or BLISTERS BBP’s may also be transmitted through mucous membranes of the: –EYES –NOSE –MOUTH

Hepatitis B Dangers –20% chance of infection with percutaneous exposure to positive source –Only 1/3 of patients have symptoms –Replicates in the liver –Cause liver dysfunction Risk Factors –Sexual activity with multiple partners –IV drug use A Hepatitis B vaccine is available

Hepatitis C Risk Factors -Sexual activity with multiple partners -IV Drug use -Tattooing -Body piercing -Shared nasal cocaine use -Blood transfusion prior to 1990 Dangers -No vaccine or cure thousand annual deaths -Causes liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer -Most common chronic BBP in the U.S.

HIV What do I need to know about HIV? –HIV is a blood borne disease. It is like hepatitis and syphilis in that it can be sexually transmitted. –NC ranks in the top 10 states for reporting new cases of HIV. Pitt County is #2 in the state. –THERE IS NO CURE OR VACCINE FOR HIV!

Syphilis Things you need to know NC ranks in the top 5 states in the nation for the past 20 years in reporting case of Syphilis Transmitted by sexual contact or by infected human blood or tissue exposure Syphilis is treatable, but can persist long term if not treated

Protecting Yourself Use Standard Precautions Learn the ECU Student Rec Center, Exposure Control Plan

Standard Precautions MINIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE BY ALWAYS KEEPING A BARRIER BETWEEN YOU AND THE VICTIM –WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR AT ALL TIMES –UTILIZE POCKET MASKS –WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY DURING YOUR SHIFTS –PROPER DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED MATERIAL--- BIOHAZARD CONTAINERS

Body Fluid Spills In the event of a body fluid spill (blood or other fluid on the floor, pool deck or fitness machine) –Remove customers from the immediate area –Clean the area using appropriate cleaning solution –Always utilize barriers to protect yourself from accidental exposure

Disposal of Contaminated Materials Always use a protective barrier between you and the fluid and/or victim. All contaminated materials used in first aid and clean up (rags, towels, gauze, gloves, etc) should be placed in an orange BIOHAZARD BAG and properly disposed of in the BIOHAZARD CONTAINER. DO NOT PLACE SOILED RAGS AND TOWELS IN THE WASHER. –Dispose of them in BIOHAZARD CONTAINERS.

Exposure Control Plan When blood or body fluids are spilled you need to use the ECU Student Rec Center Exposure Control Plan

Put up a Barrier Before you get near any blood or body fluid put on latex gloves, and any other needed protective gear

First-Aid When giving first- aid you should wear gloves at all times and put on new gloves when you give first aid to a new victim

Remove Customers Always keep members away from bloody or contaminated area until it can be clean

Spray Area Spray area with the A-428 disinfect spray before you start to clean up the area (in case of a large spill first wipe up with regular soap & water, then clean with disinfectant)

Place In Biohazard Bag Place all towels, rags, etc; with blood or body fluids on them in a orange biohazard bag

Carefully Remove Gloves Slowly & carefully remove gloves last, so that you do not touch the outer part of the gloves

Biohazardous Bin After everything is in the orange bag, tie a knot in it and place it in the Biohazardous bin behind the customer service desk, field house, or equipment room of Christenbury

Wash Your Hands Before your start back to work wash your hands with warm water and soap

ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE IF YOU ARE EXPOSED, YOU SHOULD: –Wash the exposed area thoroughly with copious amounts of soap and running water. –Contaminated eyes and mucous membranes should be irrigated for 15 minutes using normal saline or water. –Report Exposure to your supervisor and/or facility manager Immediately. –Then call the Office of Prospective Health at

Accidental Exposure cont. Get the Name, phone number, & address (local & home) of the victim This information needs to be give to supervisor or Coordinator of Safety Services so they contact the person who had the body fluid spill and have them come in for testing

RECAP ALWAYS USE A PROTECTIVE BARRIER BETWEEN YOURSELF AND POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIALS! One careless mistake could expose you or our customers to deadly diseases. Dispose of contaminated material properly to ensure the safety of our customers and our staff. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT! PROTECT YOURSELF!

Tuberculosis Tuberculosis is a disease which is spread when individuals with TB disease cough/sneeze, speak, or spit and release TB bacteria into the air where un-infected individuals can breathe it.

cont. What’s the difference between TB infection & TB disease? TB infection (called latent tb infection) means that you have, at some time, been exposed to someone with “infectious TB” and developed the infection. You will not show symptoms and you will not have the ability to infect others. Your TB skin test is positive. TB disease (called active tb disease) means you will show symptoms, and you will be infectious! (positive TB skin test, positive symptoms and positive chest x-ray).

cont... How do you test for TB?  A test called a TB skin test or PPD. The test will show if you have any TB bacteria in your body, even if you do not have TB disease.  All employees or students that are potentially exposed to TB need to receive a skin test annually. What are symptoms of TB disease?  Most common is a persistent cough lasting >2 weeks, fever, chills, weakness, weight loss, no appetite.

cont... What if I have Latent TB infection? Many healthy people with TB infection will never develop TB disease. These people should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of TB disease. People need to be evaluated for prophylaxis medications at the health department or a private physician.

cont. What if I am diagnosed with TB disease? You can not work until you are not infectious. You will receive several medicines which will eventually kill all the TB bacteria in your body. It is very important to take these medicines exactly as instructed by your physician- and it is required BY LAW!