Specific Blood Borne Diseases

There are three main blood-borne viruses to which Council employees may be exposed Hepatitis B and C and HIV.

6.1 Hepatitis B and C

• Hepatitis B and C are viral infections affecting the liver. They can occasionally be fatal or result in long term liver disease. 

• Approximately 0.1% - 0.5% of the UK population are Hepatitis B carriers, though this can be higher in residential settings. Within the UK there is a very low prevalence of Hepatitis B with only approximately 0.3% of the population infected (approximately 180,000 people)¹

• Hepatitis C prevalence has reduced by 20% since 2015, with an estimated 118,000 people living with Hepatitis C in 2020²

• The proportion of carriers may be greater among certain high- risk groups, e.g. intravenous drug users, people with a learning disability who live within residential institutions and this may also apply to children and adults in day care/schools or centres for those with a severe learning disability³

The most common route of transmission is through:

• Needle stick injuries.

• Laceration with blood or body fluid-stained objects.

• Contamination of cuts with blood or body fluid

• There is a potential for transmission by being bitten but the risk is very low if the bite is cleaned immediately.
  

• The potential for infection through eyes and other mucous membranes through splashes or contact is also low.
  

• The virus can remain infectious in dried blood for several months.
  
  

6.2 HIV

HIV is a virus which can damage cells of the immune system, and as a result cause the body to lose its ability to fight certain diseases.  HIV can lead to the development of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) where a person becomes more susceptible to a variety of infections and illnesses. Not all individuals who become infected with HIV will develop AIDS.

Some people may develop less severe illnesses which are not fatal and some may not have any symptoms at all and therefore be unaware that they are infected.

The HIV virus is much less infectious than Hepatitis B and in the work environment can only be spread through blood to blood contact i.e. if the blood of a carrier comes into contact with the open wound of another person.

There is no immunisation or post incident antigen treatment available for HIV, but post exposure prophylaxis (treatment given or action taken to prevent disease) is available following high risk incidents (see 11.0 for procedure).