Table of Contents
What are the symptoms of a biological exposure?
With the exception of some of the toxins (botulinum, SEB, T-2 mycotoxin), and possibly the hemorrhagic fevers, the initial signs and symptoms produced by the biological agents considered here are nonspecific— fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, a cough or chest pain.
How are biological agents detected?
Current techniques for the detection of biological agents are based on the analysis and/or collection of aerosols. Point samples of soil or aerosol must undergo microscopy and culture methods for a definitive identification and count of the biological agent organisms present.
What happens when you come in contact with biological hazards?
Biological health hazards include bacteria, viruses, parasites and moulds or fungi. They can pose a threat to human health when they are inhaled, eaten or come in contact with skin. They can cause illness such as food poisoning, tetanus, respiratory infections or parasite infection.
What is considered a biological exposure?
Potential exposures include needle sticks, animal bites, aerosol exposures, and other incidents potentially resulting in disease from a biological agent.
Is a virus a biological agent?
Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, other microorganisms and their associated toxins. They have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild, allergic reactions to serious medical conditions—even death.
How do you identify bioweapons?
Most of the current R&D on detection of biological weapons employs nucleic acid- or antibody-based probes combined with optical, most often fluorescence, transduction, or it involves adapting separation-based technology like mass spectrometry.
What are ways you can be exposed to biological hazards?
Workers in health care may be exposed to biological hazards through contact with human bodily matter, such as blood, tissue, saliva, mucus, urine and faeces.
What are ways in which you can be exposed to biological hazards?
What are examples of biological agents?
How are biological agents harmful to human health?
They have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild, allergic reactions to serious medical conditions—even death. Some organisms, including various types of mold and Legionella bacteria, are found readily in the natural and built environment.
What should you do if you have been potentially exposed to?
Wash exposed skin, cuts, and needlestick injuries thoroughly with soap and water. If you have been splashed by potentially infectious fluids around the eyes, nose or mouth, flush the area with water. Immediately report the incident to emergency medical services.
Which is an example of a biological agent?
Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, other microorganisms and their associated toxins. They have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild, allergic reactions to serious medical conditions—even death.
How to report a biological agent to OSHA?
To report an emergency, file a complaint with OSHA or ask a safety and health question, call 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA). Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, other microorganisms and their associated toxins.