Blood Borne Viruses (BBV)

Blood borne viruses live in blood and certain body fluids and are passed on when those fluids get into another person's bloodstream. In this lesson you will learn which fluids carry the risk, the main ways the viruses travel from one person to another, and the many everyday contacts that carry no risk at all. Key points: the risk comes from blood entering the body through a sharp, broken skin or the eyes, nose or mouth. Hugging, sharing meals and helping someone shower on intact skin do not pass these viruses on.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viruses that infect the liver, and many people who have them feel well and do not know. This lesson explains how each virus is passed on, why a safe and effective vaccine protects against hepatitis B, and how modern tablet treatment now cures hepatitis C in most people. Key points: hepatitis B can be long term and treatment controls it, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, and a person cured of hepatitis C can be infected again, so standard precautions always apply.

HIV is a virus that affects the immune system. In this lesson you will learn how HIV is passed on, the everyday contact that carries no risk, and how effective treatment has transformed life with HIV. Key points: HIV spreads through blood, sexual fluids and breast milk, but not through saliva, sweat, tears or casual contact. There is no cure, but daily treatment allows people to live long, healthy lives, and a person with a sustained undetectable viral load does not pass HIV on through sex. Standard precautions still apply with every person.

Standard precautions are the everyday infection control practices we use with every person, every time, because you cannot know who has a blood borne virus. This lesson covers hand hygiene, choosing gloves and other protective equipment based on the task, covering your own cuts, and handling blood spills, waste and soiled linen safely. Key points: base protection on the task, not on a person's diagnosis; cover broken skin with a waterproof dressing; clean up blood promptly using our spill kit and procedure; and tell your team leader when supplies run low.

Sharps include needles, insulin pen needles, lancets, razors and anything else that can pierce the skin. In our work, sharps are the most common way a blood borne virus could reach you. This lesson covers safe handling and disposal and what to do if you find a discarded needle. Key points: never recap a used needle, dispose of sharps straight away into an approved sharps container, never fill a container past its fill line or put your hand inside, and never put sharps in household bins.

An exposure happens when blood or body fluid gets into your body through a needlestick, a cut, broken skin, or a splash to your eyes, nose or mouth. This lesson explains the first aid to give yourself straight away and why you must then report it and get urgent medical assessment. Key points: wash with soap and water without scrubbing or squeezing, rinse eyes and mouth with water or saline, tell your team leader immediately, and see a doctor or emergency department the same day, because medicine to prevent HIV works best started early and within 72 hours.

People living with a blood borne virus have the same right to safe, respectful and dignified support as anyone else. This lesson covers keeping health information private, sharing it only on a need to know basis, and our legal and ethical duty not to discriminate. Key points: health information is sensitive and protected by privacy law, the Disability Discrimination Act protects people with a blood borne virus, standard precautions mean we treat everyone the same, and you should tell your team leader if you see anyone treated unfairly.

This case study follows Jasmine, a support worker at a busy weekend market with Tevita, a participant who has a sudden heavy nosebleed. Jasmine has a small graze on her own hand. The lesson shows how to give first aid calmly while using standard precautions, why the first aid kit and gloves go on every outing, how to protect Tevita's dignity in a public place, and how to clean up and report afterwards. Key points: every person, every time, cover your own cuts, and keep the person's comfort and dignity at the centre.

This case study follows Min, a support worker in a shared home, who receives a needlestick injury from a used lancet hidden in a laundry basket. The lesson walks through her first aid, reporting and urgent medical assessment, and why she does not wait until the end of her shift. It then explores what happens when a colleague asks which resident the lancet belonged to and whether they have a virus, and how to protect privacy. It finishes by bringing together the key messages of the whole course.