Health Risks from Blood Borne Viruses

Blood Borne Viruses are Hepatitis (causative agent for jaundice nd liver damage) and HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( Causative agent for AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Contaminated body fluids can cause infection by contact with damaged skin, needle-stick injury and even splashing to the eyes and mouth.

Circumstances that a worker may be exposed to Blood Borne Viruses

Health care workers are more vulnerable to infection while handling body fluids of infected patients and when disposing infected needles. Waste disposal workers are other category of people who may contract infection while incorrect handling of clinical waste. 

Workers who are engaged in the transportation of body fluids are also vulnerable, who may inadvertently contract infection. Other circumstances that would lead to exposure to BBVs may be through injuries to infected person when occur at workplace such as cuts, bruise crush etc., and workers engaged in acts of tattooing and body piercing.

Control Measures to overcome the Health Risks from Blood Borne Viruses

The control measures to overcome the health risks from blood borne viruses would be correct Disposal of potentially contaminated material such as clinical waste; 

Prevention of needle-stick injuries by correct disposal of sharps in a sharps bin; 

Use of PPE such as gloves and eye protection when handling potentially contaminated material; Drawing up and enforcement of decontamination and disinfection procedure; 

Vaccination where appropriate (for hepatitis) for vulnerable persons;

Covering up the wounds; 

Procedures to deal with accidental exposure.

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