blood-borne infection


blood-borne in·fec·tion

(blŭd'bōrn in-fek'shŭn) Infection transmitted through blood or blood products (e.g., hepatitis virus, HIV-1).

blood-borne infection

An infection transmitted through contact with the blood (cells, serum, or plasma) of an infected individual. The contact may occur sexually, through injection, or via a medical or dental procedure in which a blood-contaminated instrument is inadvertently used after inadequate sterilization. Examples of blood-borne infections include hepatitis B and C and AIDS. needle-stick injury; See also: infection