Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that are present in human blood and can infect and cause disease in people who are exposed to blood containing the pathogen. These microorganisms can be transmitted through contact with contaminated blood and body fluids.

Bloodborne pathogens include, but are not limited to:

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Hepatitis B (HBV)
  • Hepatitis C (HCV)
  • Non A, Non B Hepatitis
  • Syphilis
  • Malaria
  • Babesiosis
  • Brucellosis
Aids Virus
  • Leptospirosis
  • Arboviral infections
  • Relapsing fever
  • Creutzfeld-Jakob disease
  • Human T-lymphotrophic Virus Type 1
  • Viral hemorrhagic fever

This training program will focus on HIV and hepatitis B and C, which are the bloodborne pathogens that generally pose the greatest risk to workers and are of the greatest interest. However, it is important that you know the bloodborne pathogens you may be exposed to at work, particularly in laboratories.