dried blood. The disease can produce a mild to chronic
infection, and liver damage such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, or
death due to liver failure.
HCV – Is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the
United States. Persons who are chronically infected with HCV
may not be aware of their infection because they may not be
clinically ill. The infection may lead to chronic liver disease
that develops slowly, often taking 2 or more decades before it
is recognized.
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the precursor to the
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Currently no
vaccination exists to prevent infection of HIV, and there is no
known cure.
Mucocutaneous contact - When blood or body fluid comes in
contact with a mucous membrane in the eye, mouth, or nose.
Occupational Exposure - Reasonably anticipated percutaneous or
mucocutaneous contact with blood or OPIM that may result from
the performance of an employee’s duties.
OPIM - Defined as the following human body fluids: semen,
vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural
fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid,
saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly
contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where
it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body
fluids. OPIM does not apply to feces, nasal secretions, sputum,
sweat, tears, urine, and vomitus unless they contain visible
blood.
The Center for Disease Control has also reported that HIV has
been isolated from tears, breast milk, and urine and is likely
to be isolated from other body fluids, secretions, and
excretions. However, epidemiological evidence has implicated
only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and possibly breast milk
in the transmission of HIV.
Parenteral - Brought into the body through some way other than
the digestive tract; piercing mucous membranes or the skin
barrier through such events as human bites, needle sticks, cuts,
and abrasions.
Percutaneous Contact - Whenever blood or other potentially
infectious materials is introduced through the skin or mucous
membranes by sustaining a cut by a sharp object contaminated
with blood, or by having blood contaminate an already existing
open wound, sore, broken cuticle, or chapped skin.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Specialized clothing such