What are all the blood-borne infections?

From the Guidelines

Blood-borne infections include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Hepatitis D, syphilis, malaria, brucellosis, babesiosis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Ebola virus, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers, which can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids containing blood. The major blood-borne infections are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) 1. Other significant blood-borne pathogens include Hepatitis D (which requires Hepatitis B to replicate), syphilis, malaria, brucellosis, babesiosis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Ebola virus, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers 1. These infections can be transmitted through:

• Sharing needles or syringes
• Unprotected sexual contact
• From mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth
• Accidental needle sticks
• Through transfusion of contaminated blood products Prevention strategies include:
• Vaccination (available for Hepatitis B)
• Using universal precautions when handling blood or body fluids
• Avoiding sharing of needles or personal items that might have blood on them
• Practicing safe sex
• Screening of blood donations Healthcare workers should always use personal protective equipment when handling blood and follow proper protocols for needle disposal to minimize risk of transmission 1.

Key Points to Consider

• The risk of transmission of HBV is 50–100 times higher than transmission of HIV 1
• The estimated risk of transmission of blood borne infections after percutaneous exposure in healthcare workers is calculated to be 0.2–0.5% for HIV, 2–40% for HBV, and 1.8–10% for HCV 1
• Education is the most important task in prevention of blood-borne infections 1
• Athletes, their families, healthcare providers, coaches, officials, and others involved in sports should be educated on the risks and prevention of blood-borne infections 1

From the Research

Blood-Borne Infections

• Blood-borne infections are transmitted through direct blood contact from one individual to another from injured skin or a mucous membrane, as well as through blood doping, drug abuse, and sexual contact 2.
• The most common blood-borne infections include:
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 2, 3, 5
  • Syphilis 5
  • Cytomegalovirus infection 3
  • Malaria 3, 6
  • Babesiosis 3, 6
  • Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease) 6
  • Dengue virus 6
  • Babesia spp. 6
  • HTLV-1, HTLV-II, and HIV-II 3

Transmission and Risk Factors

• Risk factors for HBV infection include travel to regions with endemic hepatitis 2.
• HBV, HCV, and HIV are the most common pathogens encountered worldwide 2.
• Blood transfusion and intravenous drug use (IVDU) are common exposures associated with transmission of HCV 4.
• IVDU consistently accounts for a substantial proportion of HCV infections, while sexual exposures account for up to 20% 4.
• Other known exposures, such as occupational, hemodialysis, household, and perinatal, together account for about 10% of HCV infections 4.

Prevalence and Prevention

• The prevalence of blood-borne infections, including HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis, is significant among patients attending public hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria 5.
• Enhanced screening, awareness, and risk reduction education are recommended to reduce the burden of these infections 5.
• General pathogen inactivation for all blood components promises to be a long-term, sustainable solution for both known and unknown pathogens 6.