How are bloodborne pathogens transmitted?

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms that can be present in blood and other body fluids and can be transmitted in the following situations:

• Intravenous Drug Use with Shared Needles: Sharing needles for intravenous drug use is a high-risk behavior.

• High-Risk, Unprotected Sexual Activities: Certain sexual activities, especially those involving the exchange of bodily fluids, are high-risk.

• Tainted Needles or Sharp Objects in Healthcare Settings: Accidental needlestick injuries or the use of contaminated sharp objects in healthcare settings can expose individuals to bloodborne pathogens.

• Transfusion of Unsafely Screened Blood: If blood transfusions are not properly screened for infectious agents, recipients may be at risk.

• Mother-to-Child Transmission: Pregnant women with bloodborne infections can transmit the pathogens to their infants during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

• Contact with Open Sores: Direct contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person, especially if there are open sores or wounds on the skin, can lead to transmission.

• Contact with Mucous Membranes: Blood or bodily fluids coming into contact with mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth, can facilitate the entry of bloodborne pathogens into the body.

• Contact with Specific Bodily Fluids: Joint fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, vaginal secretions, semen, and amniotic fluid can also carry bloodborne pathogens, and contact with these fluids poses a risk of transmission.