Biological Hazards
The one thing I've always been told is to treat all blood as contaminated. There are several diseases out there that one should be aware of such as Hepatitis A, B, and C. There is a Hepatitis D and E; however, they are not as common in the United States. The next disease is of course HIV/AIDS. Law enforcement officers, medical personnel (First Responders) and anyone else who come into contact with blood should always take appropriate precautions. Taking the appropriate precautions needs to be determined by the individual who comes into contact with the blood source, but at minimum gloves should be worn (double gloved). If there is a chance that blood can become airborne, then one should consider wearing eye protection, a face mask and perhaps a protective suit. One can never tell whether a blood source or other bodily fluids are infectious unless it has been tested. These bodily fluids are not limited to the individual but can also be on objects as well. These diseases may enter through breaks in the skin as well as through the eyes, nose and mouth. The following are some links to help you research these diseases. A lot of times situations unfold very rapidly for the first responder when dealing with someone who is confrontational and bleeding. Do what you can to protect yourself and minimize contact with the blood the best you can. Immediately after the encounter you should decontaminate.