1. PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION
BEFORE GIVING CARE
PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION

2. HOW DISEASES SPREAD
Disease process begins when a pathogen (bacteria or virus) enters the body.
When pathogens enter the body they sometimes overpower the immune system and causes illness.

3. Bacteria are everywhere.
They do not depend on any organism to live.
Most do not cause serious injury however two serious bacterial infections are bacterial meningitis and tetanus.
Tetanus produces a toxin that affects the brain and causes stiffness in jaw and muscles.

4. VIRUS Viruses depend on other organism to live and reproduce.
Once inside in the body viruses may be difficult to eliminate.
Viruses include the common cold, hepatitis and HIV.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can lead to something as minimal as scarring or something extremely serious such as liver cancer.

5. HOW BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS SPREAD
For any disease to spread they must:
A pathogen is present.
There is a sufficient quantity of the pathogen.
The pathogens pass through an entry site (mouth, eyes or skins broken by cuts, abrasions or bites)
A person is susceptible to the pathogen.

6. DIRECT CONTACT
Direct Contact Transmission – Occurs when the infected blood or body fluids enters the body at entry site.

7. INDIRECT CONTACT
Indirect Contact Transmission – Occurs when a person touches an object that contains blood or body fluid and that object touches you so the blood/fluid enters the body at the entry site.

8. STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
Safety measures taken to prevent exposure to blood and body fluids when giving care to an injured or ill person.

9. PERSONAL HYGIENE
Something as simple as washing your hands (even if you never came in contact with blood or body fluid).
When washing your hands you should scrub your hands with soap for 15 seconds covering all surfaces of hands
Singing the “Happy Birthday Song” is an easy way to time your 15 seconds.

10. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is equipment that helps keep you from directly contacting infected materials.
Includes:
Disposable Gloves
Breathing Barriers
Eye Protection
Masks

11. GUIDELINES FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Always use disposable gloves when giving care.
Remove jewelry such as rings, bracelets or watches.
Cover your own cuts, scrapes or sores with a bandage before putting on gloves.
Do not use gloves that are torn.
Do not reuse disposable gloves.