As defined by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA): Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that
are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans.
These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B
virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV). OSHA reports that HCV infection is the most common
chronic bloodborne infection in the United States, affecting
approximately 4 million people. Hepatitis C infection is caused
most commonly by needlestick injuries. HCV infection often
occurs with no symptoms, but chronic infection develops in 75
percent to 85 percent of patients, with 70 percent developing
active liver disease, according to the Centers for Disease
Control in 1998. Although few cases of AIDS have been documented
from occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens,
approximately 8,700 health care workers each year contract HVB;
about 200 will die as a result, states OSHA. The standards
covering bloodborne pathogens specify mea