Blood-borne pathogens are defined as?

Blood-borne pathogens are defined as?

• A. Microorganisms found in human blood that cannot cause disease
• B. Microorganisms present in human blood and can cause diseases
• C. Microorganisms found in air
• D. Microorganisms found in soil

Answer: (B)

Blood-borne pathogens are microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease in people. This means agents like HIV and hepatitis B and C are capable of spreading through exposure to blood or blood-containing body fluids. The key point is that they reside in blood and have the potential to cause illness; if a microorganism in blood cannot cause disease, it wouldn’t be considered a blood-borne pathogen. Microorganisms found in air or soil don’t fit this category because transmission isn’t through blood.

Blood-borne pathogens are microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease in people. This means agents like HIV and hepatitis B and C are capable of spreading through exposure to blood or blood-containing body fluids. The key point is that they reside in blood and have the potential to cause illness; if a microorganism in blood cannot cause disease, it wouldn’t be considered a blood-borne pathogen. Microorganisms found in air or soil don’t fit this category because transmission isn’t through blood.