Bloodborne Pathogens Identified
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects the body. The immune system is compromised and allows for other infectious agents to infect the body leading to disease. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) can be a result of HIV. It is transmitted via blood or sexually. Several years may pass before HIV results in the AIDS disease, and it is unknown if HIV always leads to AIDS.
HIV can be found in various body fluids such as vaginal and semen, and primarily in blood. Thus, it can be spread via sexual contact, needle sharing, and through contaminated blood or blood products. HIV can also be spread to a fetus from the infected pregnant mother. It cannot be spread through casual contact, touching or shaking hands, consuming food prepared by an HIV infected individual, drinking fountains, telephones, toilet seats, etc. Insects cannot transmit HIV; nor can it be contracted by air or water. Other modes of transmission will be further stated in the review of the standard later in this module.
Health care occupational risk to becoming infected with HIV is moderately low. It is often associated with transfer of patients' contaminated blood via needle stick injury.
Currently there is neither an AIDS vaccine available, nor antiviral drugs to cure it. There are some drugs that hinder the virus' activity and other drugs combat other related infections. Research to develop these antivirals and vaccines are a high priority; currently, prevention is the only method available to restrict the spread of the virus.
Now test your knowledge! You do not need a minimum score for any of the "Practice Time" Activities. These are to help review the material covered thus far!
If you have any questions at any time regarding the information presented in this tutorial, please contact David Sullivan at 910-916-0688.
(North Carolina Department of Labor (2010). A guide to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace.)