Is Dried Blood Dangerous? Understanding How Long Pathogens Live Outside the Body

Most of us don’t even think twice about cleaning up blood. Cut your finger while cooking? Just wipe it up, put a bandage on, and keep working. But blood after a large accident or even tragedy can pose serious health risks. Bloodborne pathogens can survive outside the body for days or even weeks. And there is a huge misconception that dried blood is safe. Regardless of whether it’s dry, blood can transmit diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C if you are not careful. We look at how long bloodborne pathogens live outside the body and explain why dried blood is just as dangerous.

Is Dried Blood a Biohazard?

It’s a common myth that dried blood is safe. However, dried blood is still dangerous and considered a biohazard risk.

Bloodborne pathogens are a serious risk that should never be taken lightly. Even dried blood can contain infectious agents such as HIV and other diseases, so it is important to take the necessary precautions when coming into contact with any form of blood

Always wear protective gear such as gloves and masks. After cleaning it up, sanitize any area where blood has been spilled with a bleach solution.

If you are cleaning up an area larger than 6 inches square, you must properly dispose of potential biohazards. Only use clearly marked and approved biohazard disposal containers to prevent further public risk.

Can You Clean Up Dried Blood on Your Own?

While you can clean up a few drops of dried blood on your own, you should not clean up areas larger than 6 square inches. Due to the risk associated with dried blood and biohazards, cleaning large areas is dangerous. The risk of contamination is just too high.

Dried blood can contain infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses, which can be dangerous if not handled properly. It is best to contact a professional for assistance with cleaning up dried blood, as they will have the proper safety equipment and knowledge of how to do it safely.

How Long Do Bloodborne Pathogens Live?

Bloodborne pathogens, such as viruses like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, can survive outside the body for varying lengths of time. The length of time that these pathogens can survive outside the body depends on a number of factors, including the type of pathogen, the environment, and the surface or material on which the pathogen is found.

For example, HIV is relatively sensitive to the environment and does not survive long outside the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV does not survive well outside the body and can only survive for a few minutes to a couple of hours when exposed to the air.

Hepatitis B and C viruses, on the other hand, are hardier than HIV and can survive outside the body for varying lengths of time. The CDC states that hepatitis B virus can survive on surfaces at room temperature for at least a week and that hepatitis C virus can survive on surfaces for up to four days.

It’s important to note that the probability of becoming infected through contact with a bloodborne pathogen that is found outside the body is considered very low. Handle any potentially infectious materials with care. Always properly clean and disinfect any surfaces that may be contaminated.

It’s also worth mentioning that these pathogens can not be spread just through contact with dried blood. These pathogens need to come into direct contact with a mucous membrane or an open wound.

How Long Common Bloodborne Pathogens Last Outside the Body

How long bloodborne pathogens live outside of the body depends on the specific organism. Some may only last hours or days. However, others will last outside the body for up to several weeks.

All bloodborne pathogens are transmitted through contact with infected blood or other body fluids. It’s important to remember that even dried blood can spread these infections and diseases.

Here is how long some of the most common bloodborne pathogens will live outside of the body:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated. It does not live long outside the body and is no longer infectious within hours or even minutes.
• Hepatitis B (HBV): HBV is a virus that infects the liver and can lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer. It can live outside the body for at least 7 days.
• Hepatitis C (HCV): HCV is another virus that infects the liver and can also lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Hepatitis C is extremely well suited for living outside the body. It will remain contagious at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
• Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV): HTLV is a group of viruses that can cause a type of cancer called adult T-cell leukemia. It can also cause other immune system diseases. HTLV can remain alive in blood and body fluids for up to 8 or 9 days.
• Treponema pallidum: The bacteria that causes syphilis. It will remain contagious for up to 5 days outside the body.
• Borrelia burgdorferi: A bacteria that causes Lyme disease. It remains contagious in blood for 28 to 35 days at room temperature. It even can survive for short periods in urine.
• Malaria: A parasitic infection spread through bites from an infected mosquito. It remains contagious outside the body for several days in the right conditions.
• Rabies: a viral infection transmitted through saliva or brain/nervous tissue of an infected animal. It will develop in the nervous system of humans and can be fatal if left untreated. Rabies will remain infectious for 1 to 2 days at room temperature. However, it can last up to a week in temperatures below 44° F.

These are some of the most common bloodborne pathogens. However, there are many other microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses that can be found in human blood. Due to the risk of contamination, you should always take precautions when cleaning up blood and other bodily fluids.

Always avoid direct contact with blood. Seek immediate medical attention if you touch blood or bodily fluids with an open wound or get it in your eyes, nose, or mouth. This reduces the risk of infection and ensures you get the proper treatment quickly to limit symptoms.

However, the best way to avoid contact with blood is to call a biohazard cleanup company after any accident. They have the necessary training and equipment to safely clean up the area.

Need help with blood cleanup and biohazard removal? Call Restoration Local today for a free quote on our discreet and professional services. Our local restoration specialists are here to help in your time of need. Call 1-888-790-7879 now to get the restoration process started.