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Blood and Body Fluid Precautions

Table of Contents


Overview

What are blood and body fluid precautions?

Blood and body fluid precautions are used to prevent transmission of diseases such as HIV or hepatitis. These precautions are used by health care workers and people who provide first aid when they may be in contact with blood or body fluids. Precautions may include protective barriers, such as gloves, gowns, masks, or eye protection.

These precautions also apply to other body fluids, including breast milk, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids, and fluid that surrounds a fetus or organs inside the body.

Why are these precautions important?

Although skin provides some protection from exposure to potentially infectious substances, it is strongly recommended that health professionals use blood and body fluid precautions for further protection when they are providing health care. These precautions also help protect you from exposure to a potential infection from your health professional in the unlikely event that you come in contact with the health professional's blood.

The American Red Cross recommends that everyone use blood and body fluid precautions when giving first aid.

Are blood and body fluid precautions always needed?

The best practice is to always use blood and body fluid precautions, even when you can't see any blood and there's no chance that blood is present.

How can you reduce your risk of exposure to blood and body fluids?

Blood and body fluid precautions involve the use of protective barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. These reduce the risk of exposing the skin or mucous membranes to potentially infectious fluids. Health care workers should always use protective barriers to protect themselves from exposure to another person's blood or body fluids.

If you give first aid, use blood and body fluid precautions. You may wish to have gloves available in your home, office, or vehicle if you think you may be required to help another person in an emergency.

Taking the following precautions can help you minimize your risk of exposure to contaminated blood and body fluids.

What should you do if you're exposed to blood or body fluids?

Here are some steps to take if you are exposed to blood and body fluids.


Credits for Blood and Body Fluid Precautions

Current as of: June 12, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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