How to Teach Students About Blood-Borne Pathogens
There are a host of diseases that can be passed though unprotected contact with bodily fluids. Many of these diseases are very serious and carry life-long health implications. Although this all sounds quite bleak, the good news is it is quite easy to avoid acquiring these diseases. By following a few simple measures, you can reduce or eliminate the chance of getting a disease that is transmitted through bodily fluids. Teaching students about blood-borne pathogens will provide them with the tools necessary to prevent transmission of blood-borne diseases and reduce their risk of becoming infected with one of these serious conditions.
Instructions
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Define blood-borne pathogens. Discuss with students what a blood-borne pathogen is and how it can be transmitted. Students will likely have heard of many blood-borne pathogens, including hepatitis and HIV. Because of their base knowledge of the diseases, students will likely immediately understand the importance of being careful to avoid blood-borne pathogens. Be sure to highlight the fact that most of the major diseases that are passed through the blood are incurable. This means that protecting yourself and preventing yourself from acquiring the disease is incredibly important.
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Discuss the implications of diseases that are passed through contact with human blood. To truly stress the importance of preventing transmission of blood-borne diseases, discuss some of the effects that blood-borne diseases can have on those who are infected. Explain that many of these diseases ultimately result in death, so avoiding transmission is of the utmost importance.
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Teach universal precautions. Universal precautions are the generally agreed-upon system of steps that an individual can take to prevent acquiring a disease through contact with human body fluids. These steps, which consist of wearing masks and gloves and washing your hands after any contact with bodily fluids, are an individual's best line of defense against blood-borne pathogens.
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Explain the effect that blood-borne pathogen prevention will have on the student. Because of the risk of blood-borne pathogens, individuals who are handling bodily fluids should always protect themselves. Make sure that students understand that an individual who puts on gloves prior to treating that student's cut is simply protecting himself and the student. Some students develop the misconception that individuals who put on gloves or masks before tending to their medical needs are implying that the student is unclean or diseased. Make sure that students understand that universal precautions should be followed when dealing with bodily fluids from all people, and that people who put on gloves before treating them are not casting aspersions on the student's cleanliness or health.
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Practice reciting universal precautions to cement knowledge. To ensure that students commit their knowledge of universal precautions to memory, practice reciting and recalling the steps. Have students create posters that list the steps that an individual should follow before handling bodily fluid, or have them create skits or songs that illustrate their understanding. Ensure that your students truly comprehend and remember the steps that they need to follow to protect themselves from blood-borne pathogens.
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