Common Bloodborne Pathogens: HBV, HCV & HIV Quick Guide (2026)
Workplace safety quick guide
Common Bloodborne Pathogens: HBV, HCV and HIV
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applies when an employee’s duties create reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Employers must provide relevant training so employees understand the hazards, the controls used in their workplace, and what to do after an exposure incident.
The short answer: the three bloodborne pathogens most commonly emphasized in general workplace training are hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
This guide explains these three pathogens, how blood exposure can occur in a workplace, and why prevention practices matter. Other infectious agents may be associated with blood exposure in particular clinical, laboratory, or regional settings, but they are not a substitute for understanding the core controls that reduce exposure risk.
If you need to complete training, start with our guide to getting a Bloodborne Pathogens certificate. For a broader explanation of exposure control plans, PPE, cleanup, and post-exposure procedures, see the Ultimate Guide to Bloodborne Pathogens and OSHA Workplace Safety.
The main workplace concerns
The “Big Three” Bloodborne Pathogens
In general workplace Bloodborne Pathogens training, the three infections most commonly emphasized are hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. OSHA identifies these as the principal concerns for occupational blood exposure.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by HBV. It can spread through blood and certain other body fluids. A safe, effective vaccine is available; under OSHA, employers must make vaccination available to covered employees after required training and within the applicable initial-assignment timeframe. Learn about hepatitis B prevention.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver infection that is primarily transmitted through exposure to infectious blood. There is no vaccine, but current treatments can cure most cases. Workplace controls such as sharps safety and appropriate PPE help reduce exposure risk. Learn about hepatitis C prevention.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV attacks the immune system. Transmission requires particular infectious body fluids to contact a mucous membrane, damaged tissue, or the bloodstream. Modern treatment allows people with HIV to live long, healthy lives, but universal precautions remain essential whenever occupational blood exposure is reasonably anticipated. Learn how HIV spreads.
Specialist or setting-specific examples
Other Infections That May Be Transmitted Through Blood
Other infectious agents can be present in blood or transmitted through blood exposure in particular clinical, laboratory, animal-health, travel, or transfusion settings. These examples do not change the core workplace controls: treat blood and relevant materials safely, use the controls in your exposure control plan, and report an exposure promptly.
Hepatitis D
HDV is bloodborne and requires hepatitis B virus to replicate. Hepatitis B vaccination also prevents hepatitis D infection. WHO guidance.
HTLV-1
This lifelong retroviral infection can be transmitted through infected cellular blood products, needle sharing, sexual contact, or breastfeeding. It is uncommon in routine U.S. workplace training. WHO overview.
Malaria Parasites
Malaria is usually mosquito-borne, but can rarely be transmitted by transfusion, shared blood-contaminated needles, organ transplantation, or from parent to baby. CDC transmission guidance.
Babesia Parasites
Babesiosis is usually tick-borne in the United States, but can also be transmitted through contaminated blood products. It is therefore relevant to blood-safety and transfusion settings. CDC overview.
Chagas Disease
Chagas disease is usually spread by triatomine (“kissing”) bugs in areas where the disease is endemic, but the parasite can also be transmitted through contaminated blood products, organ transplantation, or laboratory accidents. CDC transmission guidance.
Key takeaway
Prevention Does Not Depend on Identifying the Pathogen
General workplace BBP training focuses on hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, but the same safety principles apply whenever occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials is reasonably anticipated. Employers must provide role-appropriate training at initial assignment, at least annually, and when new or modified tasks create exposure risk. They must also maintain an exposure control plan, make hepatitis B vaccination available to covered employees, and provide confidential post-exposure evaluation and follow-up when an incident occurs.
