What is an exposure?
An exposure happens when blood or certain body fluids from someone else enters your body.
This can happen through:
- A needle stick or sharp injury
- A cut or broken skin
- Splashing into your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Contact with open wounds
- sexual exposure or a condom breaking during sex
- sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs (for example, cookers),
What body fluids can spread infection?
Some body fluids can carry infections like HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
These include:
- Blood
- Semen
- Vaginal fluids
- Rectal fluids
- Breast milk
Other fluids, like saliva, urine, or sweat, usually do not spread these infections unless they contain visible blood.
What should I do if I am exposed?
If you are exposed, act quickly:
- Wash the area if you can
- Use soap and water for skin
- Flush eyes, nose, or mouth with clean water
- Report the exposure
- If this happened at work, report it right away
- Get medical care immediately
- Do not wait
- Some treatments only work if started quickly
Some infections can be prevented after an exposure if treatment starts early.
- HIV prevention medicine (PEP) must start within 3 days
- Hepatitis B can often be prevented with a vaccine or medication
- There is no prevention medicine for hepatitis C, but early testing is important
The sooner you get care, the better your chances of preventing infection.
What are things I can do to prevent exposures?
At work (healthcare, public safety, laboratories, etc.)
- Use safety devices like needle guards
- Never recap needles
- Dispose of sharps right away in approved containers
- Wear gloves when handling blood or body fluids
- Use eye or face protection if splashing is possible
- Follow your workplace safety procedures
At home or in the community
- Avoid contact with someone else’s blood
- Cover cuts or open wounds with a bandage
- Wear gloves if you may come into contact with blood
- Clean blood spills right away using a disinfectant
- Do not share personal items like razors or toothbrushes
During sex
- Use condoms correctly every time
- Get tested regularly for HIV and other infections
If you inject drugs
- Never share needles or equipment
- Use new, sterile supplies every time
- Use syringe service programs if available
Vaccines are available for hepatitis B to be protected before an exposure occurs. HIV medications (HIV PrEP) can be taken as prescribed for those at higher risk before an exposure occurs. There is no current vaccine or prevention medication for hepatitis C.