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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 10, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & David Messenger, MD

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