Blood and Body Fluid Precautions
Blood and body fluid precautions (universal precautions) are a set
of recommendations designed to prevent the transmission of diseases, such as
HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other diseases while
administering first aid or other health care. These precautions consider all
blood and body fluids potentially infectious for diseases that are transmitted
in the blood (blood-borne pathogens).
Blood and body fluid precautions involve the use of protective
barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.
Last Revised:
June 6, 2012
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine