Infection Control: Bloodborne Pathogens (MODULE 1) Flashcards
(69 cards)
Define BBP
Bloodborne pathogens
Microorganisms that are present in human blood and other bodily fluids.
Have the potential to cause infections and diseases if transmitted from an infected individual to another person
Define infection control
Set of practices and protocols aimed at preventing and reducing the spread of infections in various settings, particularly in healthcare facilities.
Primary objective of infection control is to protect patients, healthcare workers, and the general public from acquiring and transmitting infectious diseases
OPIM : other potentially infectious material
Materials or substances that may contain infectious agents and have the potential to transmit disease to individuals who encounter them.
Includes: tissues, body fluids, cell cultures, and other materials that may pose a risk of transmission of infectious diseases.
NOT considered OPIM: sweat, tears, casual secretions, saliva, urine, feces, and vomitus
Describe personal protective equipment (PPE)
Specialized clothing, equipment, or accessories that individuals wear or use to protect themselves from potential hazards, risks, and harmful agents in their environment.
Describe universal precautions
Set of infection control guidelines and practices that are designed to prevent the transmission of BBP and other potentially infectious materials in healthcare and other settings.
Main principle is that all blood and certain body fluids are treated as if they are potentially infectious, regardless of the perceived infection status of the source
Describe Hepatitis B.
Hepat/o = liver
-itis = inflammation
Has an acute and chronic stage
Major cause of liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer
Understanding the transmission , symptoms, prevention, and manamgent of Hepatitis B is crucial to ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and the general population
How can Hepatits B be transmitted
Primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood and OPIM (blood and sperm)
- unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person
- sharing needles or equipment for drug injection
- contact with infected blood or open sores
- from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth or breastfeeding
Etc….
T or F
Hepatitis B cannot be spread through food or water
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T or F
You can get reinfected with hepatitis C but not B
T
T or F
Many people with hepatitis B do not know they are infected because they do not feel or look sick
T
Acute (short-term) vs Chronic (long-term) hepatitis B
Acute hepatitis B is a short term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis B virus
Some people with acute hepatitis B have no symptoms at all, and for others it can be more severe. (6 months or less)
Chronic hepatitis B - some people who get infected in adulthood, can fight the virus without treatment
for other people, acute hepatitis B leads to life-long infection known as chronic hepatitis B
Can cause problems down the line
What is the treatment for Hepatitis B?
Blood tests can detect if you are infected
Acute - no medications available to treat a true hepatitis. People with mild symptoms - rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. People with more severe symptoms may need to hospitalized.
Chronic - several medications approved to treat people. Not every person needs medication.
What is the management for hepatitis B?
Medical evaluation
Antiviral mediations
Regular monitoring
What is the prevention for hepatitis B?
Vaccination
Safe sex practices
Avoiding sharing needles
Universal precautions
How can hepatitis C be transmitted?
Transmitted through contact with infected blood and OPIM
Spread through mostly needles. Not transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Describe aspects of hepatitis C transmission.
Hepatitis C cannot be spread by hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing or sneezing.
Can survive outside the body for up to 3 weeks
If you have been infected with hepatitis C virus in the past and cured you CAN get infected again
Many people with hepatitis C do not know they are infected due to lack of symptoms
Acute vs chronic hepatitis C
Acute (short-term) - occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis C virus.
*Sympomts usually happen 2-12 weeks after exposure to the hepatitis C virus
Chronic (long-term) - long-term infection of hepatitis C
*are asymptomatic or have chronic fatigue and depression
People eventually develop chronic liver disease
**More than half of people who become infected with hepatitis C virus will develop a chronic infection
Treatment for Hepatitis C
Blood tests
Over 90% of people infected with hepatitis C virus can be cured of their infection
*with 8-12 weeks of oral that’s of antiviral medications
Managment for Hepatitis C
Medial evaluation
Antiviral medications
Regular monitoring
Prevention for Hepatitis C
There is no vaccination
Safe sex practices
Avoiding sharing needles
Universal precautions
what does HIV and AIDS stand for?
Human immunodeficiency Virus
Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome
- HIV atackes the immune system, so finically CD4 cells (T cells)
- Overtime this weakens the immune system and makes the body susceptible to various infections and diseases
- this leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome, the late stage of HIV infection
Transmission of HIV/AIDS
Infection of human immunodeficiency virus
Primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood and OPIM
Sex/breastfeeding
T or F
HIV cannot be spread by insects, saliva, hugging tears, or sweat
T
T or F
Many people with early stage of HIV infection do not know they are infected because they do not feel or look sick
T
