Bloodborne Pathogens

Contaminated Sharps Injury   Hepatitis B   Hepatitis C   HIV 

Bloodborne pathogens (BBP) include the following conditions: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). All of these viruses can be transmitted from an infected person to another through blood and other bodily fluids entering through broken skin or mucous membranes (including mouth, nose, and eyes). These can be serious but manageable infectious diseases.

The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a model Exposure Control Plan to prevent the spread of BBP in healthcare settings and other areas of high risk for BBP exposure. The Exposure Control Plan can be found on the Resources tab. The Department also has a BBP training video and test materials available internally to state workers.