Blood-borne infections:

Symptoms: Certain infections, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and viral hemorrhagic fevers, are carried in the bloodstreams of infected people. A person with one of these infections may have symptoms such as jaundice (a yellow appearance of the skin or white parts of the eyes) in the case of hepatitis B or C; or, in the case of hemorrhagic fevers, unexplained bleeding of the skin, eyes, or gums. However, a person with some of these diseases may not have any symptoms at all, yet still be contagious.

How infection spreads: Some of these infections can be spread when body surfaces that can easily absorb blood-borne pathogens, such as open cuts, scrapes, or mucous membranes (lining of mouth, eyes, or nose) come into direct contact with infectious bodily fluids.

INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES

Personal protection

- Treat any body fluid as though it is infectious

- Hand hygiene is the single most important infection control measure

- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after assisting ill travelers or coming in contact with body fluids or surfaces that may be contaminated.

- An alcohol-based hand cleaner is an alternative to hand-washing but will not be effective if hands are visibly soiled.

- Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose with unwashed or gloved hands.

- Disposable gloves (gloves do not replace proper hand hygiene)

- Wear impermeable, disposable gloves when:

- physically tending to an ill traveler

- coming in contact with body fluids (such as used tissues, blood, vomit, or diarrhea), potentially contaminated surfaces or lavatories

- Remove gloves carefully to avoid contaminating yourself or your clothing.

- Properly dispose of soiled gloves after use into a plastic bag, and do not re-use.

- Wash your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand cleaner after removing gloves.   

Face masks

Surgical-type face masks worn by an ill person may help reduce the spread of respiratory germs from coughing, sneezing or talking; however, surgical facemasks are not recommended for use by a person who is not ill.

Management of ill person

- Minimize the number of persons directly exposed to the ill traveler

- Keep interactions with the ill traveler as brief as possible

Respiratory infections*

- Ask the ill traveler to cover his or her mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

- Provide tissues, if necessary.

- Provide a plastic bag for disposing of used tissues.

- Ask the ill traveler to wear a face mask particularly for persistent cough, if it can be tolerated and one is available.

- Encourage the ill traveler to wash hands and/or use alcohol-based hand cleaner (if available).

- Separate the ill traveler from others by 6 feet, if possible, and without compromising flight safety or exposing additional passengers.

- Follow the instructions in “Targeted Clean-Up” below, as necessary.  

*Note: measles and rubella (German measles) are caused by respiratory viruses with rash and fever being prominent signs. Therefore, follow these respiratory illness infection control measures if the ill traveler has a fever and rash 

Gastrointestinal infections       

- Seat the ill traveler(s) close to a lavatory, if possible.

- If possible, restrict the use of that lavatory to only the ill traveler(s).

- If traveler is vomiting, provide air-sickness bags.

- Provide a plastic bag for disposing of used air-sickness bags.

- Encourage the ill traveler to wash hands and/or use alcohol-based hand cleaner (if available).

- Follow the instructions in “Targeted Clean-Up” below as necessary. 

Blood-borne infections 

- If the ill traveler is actively bleeding, such as from an injury or nosebleed, provide first aid according to your airline’s guidelines.

- Separate the ill traveler from others far enough to reduce the likelihood of blood splattering on other people, if possible.

- Provide a plastic bag for disposing soiled tissues or towels.

- Follow the instructions in “Targeted Clean-Up” below as necessary. 

Targeted Clean-Up* 

- Hard (nonporous) surfaces, such as tray tables, TV monitors, seat arms, windows and walls that are visibly soiled: remove visible contaminations, then clean with a cleaning or disinfectant agent approved by your airline.

- Soft (porous) surfaces, such as carpeted floor or seat cushions that are obviously soiled, such as with vomit or diarrhea: first remove as much of the contaminant as possible, then cover the area with an absorbent substance, followed by an impermeable material, such as plastic, to reduce the risk of spread beyond the immediate area or into the air.

- If a contaminated item can be easily removed, is small enough to fit inside a plastic bag (such as a pillow, blanket or small cushion), and will not cause significant disruption to passengers by removing it (such as in a full flight), carefully place it inside a plastic bag** and tie or tape the bag shut securely to avoid leaking. 

Dispose of used cleaning materials in a plastic bag, 

** immediately after use.

*Note:actions should be consistent with company policy

**Biohazard bag if available; otherwise secure in plastic bag and label as biohazard 

Post-Flight Measures 

- Properly dispose of contaminated items

- Place all receptacles that have been used by the ill traveler, as well as all bags containing materials used to clean up, in a plastic bag and tie it securely (see ** above).

- Notify cleaning crew of areas that have been contaminated (specify respiratory, gastrointestinal, and/or blood-borne body fluids) which may need more than routine cleaning or possible removal such as:

- visibly soiled soft materials (e.g., seat cushion)

- hard surfaces like arm rests and tray tables

- lavatory used by ill traveler(s)

- Remind cleaning crew that this may require additional personal protective equipment and that they should follow company policy for such situations    

Note: If ill traveler(s) changed seats, ensure that both areas are adequately cleaned. 

When to see a health care provider after exposure to ill travelers 

- Cabin crew members who have been exposed to travelers with known or suspected contagious infections should consult their health care providers shortly after the flight in question if they develop symptoms that concern them (such as fever, rash, persistent cough, vomiting, or diarrhea). Risk of infection depends on many factors, including the type of disease, flight duration, level of exposure, and level of immunity. 

To avoid exposing others, crew members who are ill with a contagious infection should not report to work until they have recovered. Crew members who develop symptoms consistent with a contagious infection during flight should discontinue their work duties as soon as it is safe to do so and follow procedures as outlined for ill passengers. Crew members with gastrointestinal symptoms should not prepare or serve food or beverages.