Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that, if present in blood, can cause disease in humans. These pathogens can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person by contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. There are a number of relatively simple actions which can be taken to drastically reduce the chance of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Depending on the type of work being done, workplace practices and methods can be modified to minimize the chance of exposure. Proper personal protective equipment is an important component in preventing the transfer of bloodborne pathogens from an infected person to a healthy person.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define the term “bloodborne pathogen”
• List and describe common types of bloodborne pathogens
• Explain how bloodborne pathogens are transmitted and the risks they present
• Describe techniques for transmission prevention
• Describe what you should do if you think you may have been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen