Study Guide 8.1 Bravo

STATE BASIC & IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR STATE CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICERS

I.U. 8.1 BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS & COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Revised: September 2025

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Categories

  • Bloodborne


    • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

    • AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

    • Hepatitis A, B, C

  • Airborne

    • Tuberculosis (TB)

    • Chicken Pox

    • Covid

    • Influenza

  • Contact

    • Hepatitis A

    • MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

    • Chicken Pox

    • Shingles

    • Syphilis

PATHOGENS

Definition

  • Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease.

Cause

  • Pathogens lead to infections that can result in communicable diseases.

Risk

  • Exposure to infectious agents can pose health risks to individuals.

Symptoms

  • Symptoms can vary depending on the specific pathogen and disease.

Transmission

  • Pathogens can be transmitted via blood, respiratory droplets, contact with contaminated surfaces, and bodily fluids.

Treatment

  • Treatment options vary by infection but may include vaccines, medications, or symptom management.

PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Standard Precautions

  • Guidelines to minimize exposure to infections.

Precautions Unique to Corrections

  • Specific measures taken in correctional facilities to prevent infections.

Vaccination Options

  • Vaccines available for prevention of certain diseases.

Medical Follow-up If Exposed

  • Steps to take after potential exposure to pathogens.

DANGER!

PATHOGENS

HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus

  • Infection Process: Infects and destroys white blood cells, weakening the immune system.

Who's at Risk?

  • Individuals at risk include:

    • IV drug abusers

    • Sexual contact with an infected partner

    • Nursing infants of infected mothers

    • Healthcare workers and first responders

HIV/AIDS SYMPTOMS

  • Possibility of no symptoms initially.

  • AIDS Symptoms:

    • Unexplained weight loss

    • Diarrhea

    • Night sweats

    • Opportunistic infections

Timeline

  • An HIV infection can go undetected for years, with some individuals unaware of their status.

HIV/AIDS TRANSMISSION

Modes of Transmission

  • Blood to blood interface through:

    • Shared needles/syringes

    • Blood transfusions prior to 1985

    • Contact with infected blood via open cuts or mucous membranes

  • Sexual contact with an infected person, particularly without condoms.

  • Infants born to HIV-infected mothers.

  • Human bites, either from or to infected individuals.

NOT TRANSMITTED BY

  • Kissing

  • Casual contact

  • Touching objects used by infected individuals

  • Living in the same household

HIV/AIDS TREATMENT

  • Current Status: No cure or vaccine is available.

  • Current Medications:

    • Effective against the effects of the HIV virus.

  • Treatment Options:

    • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Medication taken by HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection.

    • Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Emergency medication taken after potential exposure to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

HEPATITIS

Types

  • Multiple types of hepatitis; three most common in corrections:

    • Hepatitis A Virus (HAV):

    • Primarily transmitted through sexual contact and ingestion of contaminated food.

    • Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

    • Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Definition

  • Inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis viruses.

HEPATITIS AT RISK

Hepatitis A

  • Risk factors include:

    • Sexual contact with infected persons

    • Drug abusers

    • Contaminated food ingestion

  • Virus can survive outside the body for approximately 4 hours.

Hepatitis B & C

  • Similar risk groups as those at risk for HIV.

  • HBV can survive under dried blood for 7 days.

  • HCV can survive on surfaces at room temperature for 16 hours to 4 days.

HEPATITIS SYMPTOMS

  • Common Symptoms:

    • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

    • Fatigue

    • Abdominal pain

    • Loss of appetite

    • Nausea, vomiting

    • Fever (specifically in Hepatitis A)

HEPATITIS TRANSMISSION

  • Hepatitis A: Fecal/oral contamination.

  • Hepatitis B & C: Blood and bodily fluid exposure, including:

    • IV drug use, tattoos, and piercings

    • Unprotected sexual contact

    • Mother to baby during childbirth

HEPATITIS TREATMENT

Hepatitis A

  • Treatment focuses on symptom management.

  • No chronic effects; immunity develops after the initial illness.

Hepatitis B & C

  • Treatment options include injections and pills, but can lead to chronic infection, liver disease, liver cancer, and death.

PREVENTION OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION

Hepatitis A Vaccine

  • Available as a preventative measure against infection.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

  • Became available in 1986, and those born after may have received it.

  • DOC offers free vaccine by medical staff, with three doses needed for complete protection.

TUBERCULOSIS (TB)

Nature of the Disease

  • Disease primarily affecting the lungs, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.

Risk Factors

  • Close-quarter living, substance abusers, compromised immune systems (very young, elderly, chronically ill).

TB SYMPTOMS

  • Tuberculosis Infection:

    • Usually positive skin test with no symptoms; cannot infect others.

  • Tuberculosis Disease:

    • Symptoms include:

    • Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks

    • Fatigue

    • Weight loss

    • Severe night sweats

    • Fever

    • Bloody sputum

TB TRANSMISSION

  • Airborne:

    • Spread through coughing, sneezing, or spitting by infectious individuals.

    • Bacteria can remain viable in the air for 4-6 hours.

TB TREATMENT

  • Usually requires a daily dose of multiple drugs for 3-9 months.

  • Treatment can cure TB disease.

  • Latent TB Infection:

    • Can be treated to prevent progression to TB disease.

Respiratory Illnesses

  • Diseases affecting the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system, making breathing difficult.

Examples include:

  • Covid-19

  • Influenza

  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS: AIRBORNE

Active TB Disease

  • Provide surgical masks to inmates during movement.

  • Annual monitoring of Negative Pressure Rooms.

  • Isolate individuals until medication takes effect.

TRANSPORTING SUSPECTED TB CASE

  • Ensure the source is masked during transport.

  • Open vehicle windows for ventilation.

  • Inmates suspected of TB should ride in the back of the transport vehicle, and escorting officers may wear masks.

SYPHILIS

Overview

  • Sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

At Risk

  • Individuals having sexual contact with an infected person (regardless of sexual orientation).

STAGES OF SYPHILIS SYMPTOMS

Primary Stage

  • Symptoms can appear 10-90 days post-infection (average 21 days).

    • Characterized by a single painless sore (chancre) which may be firm, round, and small.

Secondary Stage

  • Lasts 3-6 weeks; chancre heals without treatment.

  • Skin rashes and mucous membrane lesions appear.

  • Symptoms may resolve with or without treatment.

Latent Stage

  • Begins when primary and secondary symptoms disappear.

  • Continued infection can undisrupt internal organs, the brain, causing severe health issues including death if untreated.

SYPHILIS TRANSMISSION & TREATMENT

  • Transmitted through direct contact with a syphilis sore.

  • Treatment available via injectable penicillin or alternative medications for those allergic to penicillin.

GONORRHEA

Overview

  • Common bacterial STI caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

  • Can be transmitted via unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex; from mother to baby during childbirth.

GONORRHEA SYMPTOMS

  • Symptoms usually manifest 2-14 days post-exposure and can be asymptomatic.

In Men

  • Symptoms include burning during urination, yellow/white/green discharge, painful/swollen testicles.

In Women

  • Mild symptoms often confused for a bladder or vaginal infection, including increased discharge, painful urination, and bleeding between periods.

GONORRHEA TREATMENT

  • CDC recommends treatment with antibiotics, typically a single shot of ceftriaxone.

  • Important to treat sexual partners to prevent re-infection.

CHLAMYDIA

Overview

  • A common, curable bacterial STI caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

  • Often asymptomatic but can lead to infertility if untreated.

CHLAMYDIA SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Symptoms

  • Women: symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, burning sensation during urination, pain during sex, bleeding between periods, and lower abdominal pain.

  • Men: symptoms include discharge from the penis, burning sensation when urinating, pain/swelling in the testicles.

Treatment

  • Typically treated with antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline.

  • Partners must also be treated to prevent re-infection.

METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)

Overview

  • Commonly exists on the skin and in the nose of healthy individuals.

Risk Factors

  • Resistant to standard treatments, making it difficult to eradicate.

Symptoms

  • Symptoms can range from skin infections, boils, abscesses, to infected surgical wounds and lesions (i.e., cuts, scrapes).

MRSA Transmission and Treatment

  • Transmission:

    • Via skin-to-skin contact

    • Mucous membrane contact

    • Survives on fabrics for 7 days and hard surfaces for up to 3 weeks.

CHICKEN POX

Overview

  • Common illness characterized by an itchy rash and red spots/blisters across the body.

Transmission

  • Initially spread via air, then through direct contact.

  • Can spread even when symptoms are not present.

Note

  • If contracted, most likely will not get chicken pox a second time; it may return as shingles afterward.

SHINGLES

Overview

  • Viral infection of the nerve roots, leading to pain and blistering rashes.

Risk Factors

  • Common in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.

Treatment

  • No cure; management includes symptom relief.

  • Vaccine available (Shingrix) for adults aged 50 and above.

PREVENTION OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION

Protocols

  • Standard Precautions

  • Contact Precautions

  • Droplet Precautions

  • Airborne Precautions

  • Special Precautions unique to corrections

STANDARD PRECAUTIONS

  • Originally known as Universal Precautions.

  • Should be used at all times regardless of the situation:

    • Hand washing

    • Use of disposable gloves

    • Cleaning soiled equipment & surfaces with a 10% bleach solution.

CONTACT PRECAUTIONS

Requirements

  • Hand washing, disposable gloves, and gowns for clothing protection.

DROPLET PRECAUTIONS

Requirements

  • Hand washing, disposable gloves, gowns, and surgical masks covering the nose and mouth.

AIRBORNE PRECAUTIONS

Requirements

  • Hand washing, disposable gloves, gowns, and N95 masks or surgical masks.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

Unique to Corrections

  • Cover open cuts/wounds with bandages

  • Avoid smoking, eating, drinking, nail-biting, and contact between hands and face in potentially contaminated areas.

  • Wash hands thoroughly when removing gloves or after contact with fluids.

  • Contaminated items should be placed in designated red bags.

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS: CONTACT

  • Emphasize good personal hygiene and frequent hand washing.

  • Instruct inmate workers, especially food handlers, to wash hands and wear gloves.

EXPOSURES PROTOCOL

Types of Exposures

  1. Skin punctured by sharp objects contaminated by inmate blood/body fluids.

  2. Face (mouth, nose, eyes) splashed with these fluids.

  3. Open skin exposure to blood or fluids.

  4. Human bites breaking the skin.

Post-exposure Procedures

  • Clean injuries and immediately seek medical attention.

  • Medical follow-ups provided by DOC-approved healthcare personnel.

CONSENT FOR TESTING

Requirements After Exposure

  • Source person must sign consent for testing.

  • In absence of consent, court orders may be needed to obtain test results.

RECORD KEEPING

Duration

  • In-service training records must be kept on-site for 3 years.

    • Medical evaluations and follow-up records to be retained for an additional 30 years.

ROUTINE HOUSEKEEPING

Responsibilities

  • Maintenance of work areas using hospital-approved disinfectants and cleaning solutions.

REVIEW & SUMMARY

Common Diseases Encountered

  • HIV/AIDS

  • Hepatitis A, B, C

  • Respiratory illnesses

  • MRSA

  • Chicken Pox/Shingles

  • Syphilis/Gonorrhea/Chlamydia

Disease Group Overview

  • Definitions, causes, risks, symptoms, transmission, and treatment for each disease.

Prevention Protocols

  • Standard and special precautions in corrections, vaccination procedures, and post-exposure protocols.