What is a blood-borne pathogen?
A blood-borne pathogen is a microorganism that may be present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include but are not limited to Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).ii Blood-borne pathogens are transmitted through sexual contact, direct contact with infected blood or blood components, and unsterilized intravenous needles, as well as perinatally from mother to baby.iii 2. What is the difference between HBV, HCV and HIV? HBV is a blood-borne pathogen that can cause infection of the liver. Those who are infected will have no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness. Chronic complications of HBV include liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. HCV is another blood-borne pathogen that causes infection of the liver. Long-term complications of HCV are liver cancer, cirrhosis and even death.iv HIV is a retrovirus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks white blood cells in the immune system, thus making t
