title: Blood-borne infections.
abstract: Blood-borne infections are transmitted by way of direct blood contact from one individual to another from injured skin or a mucous membrane. Blood-borne infections can also be transmitted through blood doping and drug abuse and through sexual contact. Risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) HBV infection include travel to regions with endemic hepatitis. Prevention of blood-borne pathogens in the student-athlete should focus on traditional transmission routes and off-the-field behavior because experts believe that field transmission of blood-borne pathogens is minimal. Worldwide, HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV are the most common pathogens encountered. This article focuses on HBV and HCV as being the most prevalent in athletics.
authors.affiliation: CentraCare Hospital, Orlando, FL 32819, USA.
authors.forename: Jason J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pirozzolo
authors.forename: Donald C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: LeMay
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014943:Global Health; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D013177:Sports; D014195:Travel