Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that are located in the blood and other bodily fluids that can cause disease and illness. Bloodborne pathogens can be spread from person to person through contact with contaminated blood and sexual intercourse; however these pathogens are not transmitted through sneezing, coughing, touching or sharing utensils with an infected person, according to Texas A&M University. The most common bloodborne pathogens are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
Hepatitis B Virus
The hepatitis B virus is a bloodborne pathogen that attacks the liver. The virus enters the blood, travels to the liver and multiplies there, which results in inflammation and infection of the liver. The condition can be mild or severe and symptoms include abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain, nausea, fatigue and jaundice. Most adults fully recover from the hepatitis B virus, but children who are infected usually develop chronic liver disease or liver failure, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are vaccinations available that can help prevent people from contracting the virus.
Hepatitis C Virus
The hepatitis C virus is another bloodborne pathogen that attacks the liver by causing inflammation. Hepatitis C is the most serious of the hepatitis viruses and usually causes cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. Most people who have contracted hepatitis C do not experience any symptoms in the early stages, so the virus can go undetected for years. When symptoms do occur, it is usually after cirrhosis has developed, according to Medline Plus. These symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, fatigue, itching, jaundice, fever, nausea and loss of appetite. There is no cure or current vaccine available for hepatitis C, but there are a number of treatment options that can help suppress the virus and delay cirrhosis.
HIV/AIDS
HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is a bloodborne pathogen that attacks the body’s immune system by destroying the blood cells that are responsible for fighting off disease and infection. Over the course of many years, HIV develops into AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Once AIDS develops, the immune system is severely damaged and the body’s ability to fight off disease is almost non-existent. In the early stages of HIV, there are usually no symptoms. As the infection progresses, symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, weight loss, fever and cough. When HIV has fully progressed into AIDS, symptoms include night sweats, chills, high fever, blurred vision and white spots on the tongue and throat, called thrush. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but treatment methods can improve quality of life and delay the progression of the disease for years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
