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Occupational Health
Department Exposure to Infectious
Diseases
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and
is spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the
lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. A person with TB
can die if they don’t get treatment.
The incidence of TB in Virginia is 4
cases per 100,000 people. Patients can present to health care providers
with the following signs and symptoms: chronic cough, unexplained weight
loss, fever, chest pain, hemoptysis. If you need to care for a patient
with active or suspected TB infection, you should don a N-95 respirator.
Employees, residents, and students with
patient contact should receive a tuberculin skin test annually.
For more information about TB, please
see the EVMS TB
Exposure Control Plan.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Employees, residents, and students can
be exposed to bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B virus and
hepatitis C virus if they have a blood or body fluid exposure. A blood
or body fluid exposure can be a contaminated needlestick or a cut with a
contaminated sharp object; a splash to mucous membranes such as the
eyes, nose, or mouth; or contact with non-intact skin like hands that
are chapped, abraded, cut, etc. A blood or body fluid exposure is
considered a medical emergency and should be handled as such.
In the event of an exposure, please
follow the Emergency Procedure.
For more information on blood and body
fluid exposures, please see the
EVMS Bloodborne
Pathogen Exposure Control Plan
 .
Exposure to Other Infectious Diseases
Employees, residents and students can
be exposed to infectious diseases from their contact with patients.
Exposure to meningitis, pertussis, tuberculosis and lice may require
preventative treatment with antibiotics.
If you think you have been exposed to
an infectious disease, please call the Occupational Health Department at
(757) 446-5870 to report it.
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