In addition to its presence in blood, the Hepatitis B virus may be found in other body fluids such as urine, tears, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. As a result, transmission of the disease can also occur through close interpersonal contact, including sexual contact. Exposure or potential exposure to HBV is defined in terms of actual or potential skin, mucous membrane, parenteral contract with blood, body fluids, and tissues. Tissues and body fluids are not only those materials from humans, but also potentially infectious fluids and tissues associated with laboratory investigations of HBV e.g., organs and excreta from experimental animals, embryonated eggs, tissue or cell cultures and culture media, etc. At present there is no specific treatment or no known cure.
Prevention is the only method of control.
There is now an effective vaccine against Hepatitis B. OSHA policy is that the employer must offer HBV vaccinations in advance of exposure to personnel who provide first aid at a first aid station, clinic or dispensary or health care, emergency response or public safety personnel expected to render first aid in the course of their work. Employers are permitted to offer the vaccine to certain first aid providers within 24 hours of possible exposure rather than before. This is limited to persons who render first aid only as a collateral duty, responding solely to injuries resulting from workplace incidents, generally at the location where the incident occurred. Employees covered under this policy are those at high or moderate risk of exposure as defined below. All other employees will be evaluated and determined on an individual basis by the Director of the Student Health Center.