Can Hospital Waste Carry Contagious Diseases?

Hospital waste is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as any solidified waste that is produced in the treatment, diagnosis, or immunization of people or animals. The following are examples of hospital waste:

• Discarded surgical gloves and tools

• Cultures

• Lancets

• Used needles

• Stocks

• Utilized swabs to immunize cultures and disconnected body organs.

Furthermore, hospital waste includes blood-soaked and contaminated bandages, cultured dishes, and used glassware. In this article, we will answer the question “Can these wastes carry contagious diseases?”.

Types of Hospital Wastes

1. Chemicals

This waste includes solvents utilized for laboratory preparations. Also, it includes disinfectants and heavy metals in medical devices such as mercury in thermometers and batteries.

2. Genetoxicwaste

It covers highly hazardous, carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic wastes. It also includes cytotoxic drugs for the treatment of cancer and their metabolites.

3. Infectious waste

The hazardous waste contains microorganisms like bacteria and viruses which can cause disease or infection in humans and animals.

4. Nonhazardous or general waste

Nonhazardous or general waste does not constitute any specific radioactive, chemical, biological, or physical hazard.

5. Pathological waste

A major type of biohazardous and infectious waste that is suspected to contain pathogens. It includes body parts, contaminated animal carcasses, human tissues, organs, or fluids.

6. Pharmaceuticals

Unused, contaminated, and expired drugs and vaccines.

7. Radioactive waste

Radioactive waste is products tainted by radionuclides such as radiotherapeutic materials or radioactive diagnostic materials.

8. Sharps

Blades, disposable scalpels, needles, syringes, and other sharp tools utilized in the hospital are included in this waste category.

Diseases Linked to Hospital Wastes

According to healthcare professionals, the various types of hospital wastes can pose disease by transmitting pathogens. However, if they are properly disposed of, they cannot infect anyone. Below are some of the diseases they can carry:

•  Bacteremia

• Candida

• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

• Meningitis

• Parasitic infections

• Skin infections

Final Thoughts

There are multiple medical or hospital wastes. However, they cannot carry contagious diseases if they are properly handled by the people inside the hospital.