Infectious diseases

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Infectious diseases are caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person or from animal to person. Workers can be exposed to a number of different types of infectious diseases, including airborne, bloodborne, contact, and zoonotic diseases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row xt_row_type=”in-container” xt_border_top=”0″ xt_pattern_opacity=”100″ css=”.vc_custom_1533633760139{margin-bottom: 4px !important;}”][vc_column][xt_networks title=”Follow Us” force_original_colors=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7284″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1539356282631{margin-top: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

The risks

Airborne diseases

Airborne diseases can be spread through the air when infected people cough, sneeze, or speak. A person becomes infected by breathing in air contaminated with the virus or bacteria. Some common airborne diseases include:

• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Pandemic influenza
• Mumps
• Tuberculosis

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1498135700618{border-left-width: 4px !important;padding-top: 2px !important;padding-right: 2px !important;padding-bottom: 2px !important;padding-left: 2px !important;background-color: #ededed !important;border-left-color: #c9c9c9 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}”][xt_news title=”Related News” query_type=”custom” custom_query=”size:3|order_by:date|order:DESC|post_type:post|categories:44″ excerpt_length=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bloodborne diseases

Bloodborne diseases are transmitted through contact with infected blood or certain body fluids. Some common bloodborne diseases include:

• HIV/Aids
• Hepatitis B and C

Contact diseases

Contact diseases are transmitted through direct or indirect contact with bacteria or viruses. Direct contact can include physical contact with an infected person, or contact with blood and body fluids. Indirect contact involves touching an object or surface that has been contaminated by an infected person. Common contact diseases include:

• Norovirus

Zoonotic diseases

Zoonotic diseases are caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between animals and humans in a variety of ways. Some zoonotic diseases can be transmitted directly to humans through contact with saliva, some are airborne, and others are are transmitted through insect bites. Common zoonotic diseases include:

• Avian flu
• Campylobacteriosis
• Hantavirus
• Histoplasmosis
• Rabies
• West Nile virus

How to reduce the risks

If workers are at risk for infectious disease at the workplace, employers must develop and implement an exposure control plan. As a general rule, safe work practices everyone should follow include:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row xt_row_type=”in-container” xt_border_top=”0″ xt_pattern_opacity=”100″ css=”.vc_custom_1539355792224{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-top-color: #eaeaea !important;border-top-style: dashed !important;border-bottom-color: #eaeaea !important;border-bottom-style: dashed !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

Getting vaccinated

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Many infectious diseases are preventable through vaccination.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row xt_row_type=”in-container” xt_border_top=”0″ xt_pattern_opacity=”100″ css=”.vc_custom_1539355904853{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;background-color: #efefef !important;border-top-color: #eaeaea !important;border-top-style: dashed !important;border-bottom-color: #eaeaea !important;border-bottom-style: dashed !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

Washing hands frequently

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Wash your hands:

• When entering a patient’s room
• Immediately before any aseptic procedure
• Immediately after an exposure risk to body fluids (and after glove removal)
• After leaving a patient’s room where the patient or equipment was touched
• After touching contaminated materials or surfaces
• Before eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, applying makeup, or using the toilet

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Handling sharps properly

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Follow manufacturer recommendations for using and disposing of sharps[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row xt_row_type=”in-container” xt_border_top=”0″ xt_pattern_opacity=”100″ css=”.vc_custom_1539355904853{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;background-color: #efefef !important;border-top-color: #eaeaea !important;border-top-style: dashed !important;border-bottom-color: #eaeaea !important;border-bottom-style: dashed !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

Cleaning and disinfecting spills

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Specific procedures are required to contain spills of bodily fluids[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row xt_row_type=”in-container” xt_border_top=”0″ xt_pattern_opacity=”100″ css=”.vc_custom_1539355792224{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-top-color: #eaeaea !important;border-top-style: dashed !important;border-bottom-color: #eaeaea !important;border-bottom-style: dashed !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

Using personal protective equipment

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Workers should know how to select appropriate PPE and how to properly put it on and take it off, including:

• Gloves
• Respirators
• Face shields
• Gowns
• Foot covers
• Eye protection

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Practising cough etiquette

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Always cough into your sleeve or a tissue instead of your hand, and wash hands after coughing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row xt_row_type=”in-container” xt_border_top=”0″ xt_pattern_opacity=”100″ css=”.vc_custom_1539355792224{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-top-color: #eaeaea !important;border-top-style: dashed !important;border-bottom-color: #eaeaea !important;border-bottom-style: dashed !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

Staying home if you are sick

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Workers should stay home if they are ill, especially if they are vomiting or have a fever or diarrhea.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]