Concerning blood, which virus poses the greatest risk for workers?

Concerning blood, which virus poses the greatest risk for workers?

• A. HIV
• B. Hepatitis B
• C. Hepatitis C
• D. Influenza

Answer: (B)

When assessing bloodborne pathogen risk, the key point is how easily a virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids after a sharp injury. Hepatitis B is highly contagious via blood and other fluids, and the chance of transmission from a single exposure is higher than that of HIV or Hepatitis C. A major plus for workers is that there is an effective vaccine against Hepatitis B, so vaccination dramatically reduces the risk. Influenza is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, not blood, so it isn’t the primary concern for bloodborne exposure. For these reasons, Hepatitis B poses the greatest risk in this context.

When assessing bloodborne pathogen risk, the key point is how easily a virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids after a sharp injury. Hepatitis B is highly contagious via blood and other fluids, and the chance of transmission from a single exposure is higher than that of HIV or Hepatitis C. A major plus for workers is that there is an effective vaccine against Hepatitis B, so vaccination dramatically reduces the risk. Influenza is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, not blood, so it isn’t the primary concern for bloodborne exposure. For these reasons, Hepatitis B poses the greatest risk in this context.