Final answer:
People infected with bloodborne pathogens like HBV do not always show immediate symptoms; instead, there is an incubation period before symptoms manifest. Health-care workers must take precautions like using personal protective equipment and proper disinfection to prevent transmission. Understanding and managing the risk of exposure is essential for healthcare safety and patient health.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is not correct to say that people who become infected with a bloodborne pathogen always show symptoms immediately. The incubation period for bloodborne diseases like Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) can vary significantly. For example, HBV has a mean incubation period of about 120 days, during which an individual may not show any symptoms. This is a critical window where the person is infected but asymptomatic. Furthermore, in the case of some pathogens, if it is the first time the antigen is entering the body, it takes a significant amount of time to elicit any immune response. Infection prevention measures, such as using personal protective equipment and following proper disinfection protocols, are imperative for health-care workers who are at increased risk.
When dealing with potential exposure to infectious material, it is essential to use gloves, face protection, and disposable syringes to minimize risk. Surfaces should be disinfected with solutions like a 10% bleach mixture as recommended by the CDC, as Hepatitis B can remain infective on surfaces for up to seven days. The risk of chronic infection and the development of more severe health issues like liver cancer underscores the need for vigilant screening, both for healthcare providers and high-risk populations.
In consequence, not all infections immediately present with symptoms, and a person's immune response can influence the onset and severity of those symptoms. This varying response underlines the importance of vaccination, routine testing in certain populations, and timely post-exposure treatment to mitigate the risk of long-term health complications.