What is a Bloodborne Pathogen?

• A. Micro-organisms that are carried in the blood that can cause disease in humans
• B. Micro-organisms carried in urine
• C. Micro-organisms carried on the skin surface
• D. Micro-organisms airborne

Answer: (A)

Bloodborne pathogens are micro-organisms that live in blood and can cause disease in humans if they enter another person’s bloodstream. This means the risk comes from exposure to infected blood or fluids, such as through needle sticks, cuts, or splashes to the eyes, nose, or mouth. Examples include HIV and hepatitis B and C.

This differs from microbes in urine, which aren’t typically spread via blood; microbes on the skin surface aren’t considered bloodborne since transmission would require entry into the bloodstream; and pathogens that are airborne spread through the air, not through blood. To stay safe, treat blood and potentially infectious fluids with care and follow proper precautions.