What Transmittable Diseases Can We Get from Medical Waste?
10/1/2021
Pathogens thrive in medical waste, which makes it hazardous to humans who might come across them. According to the World Health Organization, the following diseases can be transmitted through improper medical waste disposal:
• Lung infections
Medical waste can release aerosols with pathogens like a respiratory syncytial virus. Therefore, it’s essential to be careful as they can result in lung infections such as tuberculosis and influenza.
Labs frequently conduct tests for parasitic infections. These institutions incubate fluids to check for parasites and eventually dispose of them. However, many parasites survive and thrive in medical waste.
• Skin infections
It is also possible to get a skin infection by making contact with medical waste. Therefore, it’s best to be careful as this includes anthrax as well. If the resulting medical waste is disposed of improperly, it will be hazardous to the local community.
• Candida
Candida albicans is linked to extended hospital stays, so untreated waste might have a high level of the pathogen. The condition poses a high risk to pregnant women, small children, immunocompromised people, and the elderly.
• Hepatitis B and C Viruses
Medical waste might have sharp objects with blood contaminated with the Hepatitis B and C viruses. People might acquire them if they are punctured by a puncture or needle stick. Therefore, sharp objects should be stored in marked and sealed containers.- Conclusion