The History of Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are illnesses that can be spread by contact with blood. These include HIV, hepatitis and herpes. Some bloodborne pathogens are ancient, while others like HIV and ebola are relatively new. Special precautions must be taken to prevent the spread of these infectious diseases.

Types

• Bloodborne pathogens include HIV, hepatitis, ebola, gonorrhea, malaria, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, certain kinds of strep and tuberculosis. However, HIV, hepatitis B,and hepatitis C are among the most commonly transmitted bloodborne pathogens.

OSHA Standards

• In 1991, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration compiled a a set of regulations relating to prevention of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This standards protect doctors, nurses, EMTs and others who might come into contact with blood on the job.

HIV

• Although some early samples show HIV in humans in Africa as early as 1959, the first cases in the United States began to crop up around 1981, with the name AIDS not being given to the condition until 1982.

Hepatitis B

• Caused by the virus of the same name, this bloodborne pathogen's first outbreak was recorded in the late 1880s. However, it wasn't until 1965 that the virus was identified.

Hepatitis C

• The virus that causes Hepatitis C was not isolated until 1989. Before then, the existence of the virus was postulated based on hepatitis-like symptoms that were not caused by Hepatitis A or B. The disease was first studied among hospital patients who had previously received a blood transfusion.