Three Main Pathogens

There are many bloodborne pathogens, but this course will focus on the major three: HBV, HCV, and HIV.

HBV

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B, a disease that affects the liver. This can come in acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) forms, with the chronic form usually resulting from the acute form. It is common for an acute infection to turn into a chronic infection in infants but rare in adults. The acute infection can cause yellow skin, fatigue, dark urine, and abdominal pain. These symptoms typically last only a few weeks and rarely result in death. The chronic infection itself has no symptoms, but it can result in cirrhosis and liver cancer, which cause death in around 25 percent of people who contract the chronic HBV infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 240 million people are chronically infected by HBV, and more than 780,000 die each year of the related complications. A vaccine has been available for HBV since 1982, and the World Health Organization recommends vaccination within the first 24 hours of an infant's life. The vaccine is 95 percent effective in preventing infection and the resulting complications.

To learn more about Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Online Training web page.