Which term refers to disease-causing organisms that can be transmitted through contact with blood or body fluids?

• A. Viruses
• B. Blood borne pathogens
• C. Bacteria
• D. Carriers

Answer: (B)

These are disease-causing microorganisms that can be transmitted through contact with blood or certain body fluids. The phrase “blood borne pathogens” specifically names the organisms that pose a risk when blood or body fluids are involved, which is exactly what the question describes. Examples include HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. While viruses and bacteria are both types of pathogens, they are not defined by the mode of transmission; the term we use in health safety is about the transmission route through blood and body fluids. Carriers refer to people who harbor pathogens, not the organisms themselves. So the clear, precise term for this transmission risk is blood borne pathogens.