There are many diseases caused by blood-borne pathogens. A needle stick injury, injury from a sharp instrument contaminated with blood or body fluids, and intimate contact are ways that people are exposed to these pathogens. In the event of exposure, it is imperative to follow up with a doctor for a medical evaluation, testing and any necessary treatment.
HIV
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is transmitted through sexual contact, needle sharing, during childbirth or through breast milk. Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in health care settings, workers have been infected with HIV after being stuck with needles containing HIV-infected blood or, less frequently, after infected blood enters a worker's open cut or a mucous membrane.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can be acute and in some cases become a chronic illness. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. The CDC reports that hepatitis B is transmitted through punctures to the skin or mucosal contact with infectious blood or body fluids such as semen or saliva. Hepatitis B can survive outside of the body for seven days and still be infectious. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires that most health care workers are offered the hepatitis B vaccine, which is a three shot series.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is another liver infection that can be acute and, in some cases, a chronic illness. It can also lead to cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. Hepatitis C is largely transmitted through injection drug use; however, it can also be transmitted through needlestick injury, during birth to an infected mother, sexual contact and sharing personal items. It is important to recognize that standard precautions should be used in order to prevent the spread of hepatitis C in the health care setting. The CDC reports that the risk of hepatitis C infection is approximately 1.8 percent after a needle stick or sharps injury with hepatitis C infected blood.
