Health-care workers should follow Universal Precautions which are infection-control guidelines developed to protect health workers and their patients from exposure to diseases spread by blood and certain body fluids.

Universal Precautions include:

• Careful handling and disposal of ’sharps’ (items that could cause cuts or puncture wounds, including needles, hypodermic needles, scalpel and other blades, knives, infusion sets, saws, broken glass, and nails)
• Hand-washing with soap and water before and after all procedures;
• Use of protective barriers such as gloves, gowns, aprons, masks and goggles when in direct contact with blood and other body fluids;
• Safe disposal of waste contaminated with blood or body fluids;
• Disinfection of instruments and other contaminated equipment;
• Proper handling of bedding and clothing stained with blood, diarrhoea or other body fluids.