BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS:
What School Personnel Need to Know
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms carried by human blood and other body fluids. They are organisms so small you cannot see them with the naked eye. They can be spread through contact with infected blood. If they get into your bloodstream, you may become infected and sick.
Most school personnel can reasonably anticipate coming into contact with blood during their day-to-day work duties — whether in the classroom, on the playground, on the playing field, or on the school bus. That’s why it’s imperative that all school employees understand the danger of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and ways to minimize their risk. It’s also important for school employees to know more about their personal risks for disease transmission related to sexual behavior and drug use.
Bloodborne pathogens may be present in blood and other materials, such as:
- body fluids containing visible blood
- semen and vaginal secretions
- torn or loose skin
Bloodborne pathogens can cause infection by entering your body through:
- open cuts and nicks
- skin abrasions
- dermatitis
- acnemucous
- membranes of your mouth, eyes or nose
Special education employees should take extra caution while working with severely disabled children. Some disabled children might be more:
- vulnerable to injury
- likely to have special medical needs
- dependent on adults for personal care
WORKPLACE TRANSMISSION
The most common bloodborne pathogens are:
Most people think of HIV first when they hear bloodborne pathogens, but actually the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is more common and more easily transmitted in the workplace than HIV.