What body fluids are potentially infectious during an occupational exposure?
When evaluating occupational exposures to fluids that might contain hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), health care workers should consider that all blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat, may contain transmissible infectious agents. Blood contains the greatest proportion of infectious bloodborne virus particle titers of all body fluids and is the most critical transmission vehicle in the health-care setting. During dental procedures it is predictable that saliva will become contaminated with blood. If blood is not visible, it is still likely that very small quantities of blood are present, but the risk for transmitting HBV, HCV, or HIV is extremely small. Despite this small transmission risk, a qualified health care professional1 should evaluate any occupational exposure2 to saliva in dental settings, regardless of visible blood.
Related Questions
- When determining the need for postexposure evaluation and follow-up in occupational settings, what body fluids are potentially infectious?
- Can "industrial N95 respirators" be used when splashes or sprays of potentially infectious body fluids are anticipated?
- Why is exposure to indoor radon gas potentially harmful?
