The human body fluid most likely to transmit a bloodborne pathogen is blood. Bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood. Other potentially infectious body fluids include semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, and amniotic fluid, but blood remains the primary fluid with the highest risk for transmission of these pathogens. Transmission can occur through puncture wounds, contact with broken skin, or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. Blood contaminated surfaces and fluids visibly contaminated with blood also pose a risk of transmission.
