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.
- Gloves protect you
whenever you touch blood; body fluids;
mucous membranes; or broken, burned, or scraped skin.
The use of gloves also decreases the risk of disease transmission if you are
pricked with a needle.
- Always wear gloves for handling items or
surfaces soiled with blood or body fluids.
- Wear gloves if you have
scraped, cut, or chapped skin on your hands.
- Change your gloves
after each use.
- Wash your hands immediately after
removing your gloves.
- Wash your hands and other skin surfaces
immediately after they come in contact with blood or body fluids.
- Masks and
protective eyewear, such as goggles or a face shield,
help protect your eyes, mouth, and nose from droplets of blood and other body
fluids. Always wear a mask and protective eyewear if you are doing a procedure
that may expose you to splashes or sprays of blood or body
- Gowns or aprons protect you from splashes of blood or body fluids.
Always wear a gown or apron if you are doing a procedure that may expose you to
splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids.
How else can I reduce my risk?
The American Red Cross recommends that everyone use
blood and body fluid precautions while giving first
aid. 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.
Other precautions can help you minimize your risk of exposure to
contaminated blood and body fluids.
- If you give injections to a family member or
- Use puncture-resistant containers to
dispose of needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments.
- Do not
- Do not bend or handle used needles or disposable
- Avoid touching objects that may be
Learn first aid and CPR, so when you are faced with an emergency or injury, you will know what to do.