I have a member who had an exposure to a bloodborne pathogen. What should be done to prevent this member from contracting a fatal disease?
The Centers for Disease Control is the recognized authority on communicable disease and disease prevention. They have published guidelines that should be implemented by fire departments to assure the correct preventative treatments are readily available. Updated U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HBV, HCV, and HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis will help in understanding what preventative measures should be taken after an exposure. Centers for Disease Control’s Management of Occupational Blood Exposures will answer the questions of what to do immediately after an exposure to blood or blood products.
