Final answer:
All blood and other potentially infectious materials are treated as infectious under standard precautions, requiring protective gear and proper disposal usually by autoclaving to prevent infection and contamination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under standard precautions, all blood and other potentially infectious materials are treated as infectious. This means that they should be handled with care to prevent the risk of infection and contamination. All personnel dealing with these materials must wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and face protection, and any contact with skin should be immediately followed by washing with detergents and, if necessary, a basic solution like bleach. Contaminated waste must be properly disposed of, usually by autoclaving to sterilize it before it can be included in the regular waste stream. Recognizing the international symbol for biohazards is crucial, as is understanding how to dispose of all waste materials, especially biohazard waste.
Safety precautions are essential for health-care workers to prevent infection by HBV and other diseases. Infectious agents are categorized into different bio-safety levels, each with specific handling and disposal requirements to safeguard health and prevent environmental contamination.