1. Overview
This guidance explains how you can decontaminate to prevent the spread of bloodborne viruses (BBVs).
Virus survival in the environment
Virus viability in the environment depends on its physical properties and the accompanying material the virus is deposited in, for example:
- the volume of bodily fluid
- the temperature and humidity of the environment
- whether there is any exposure to sunlight
HIV does not survive outside the body for long and is susceptible to high temperatures and UV radiation.
Hepatitis B virus has the potential to remain viable for prolonged periods in dried blood at ambient temperature. However, dried blood residue is likely to pose a considerably lower risk than fresh, infected blood.
At room temperature, it is thought that hepatitis C virus may be able survive outside the body in patches of dried blood on surfaces for up to several weeks.
The risk of transmitting infection is therefore reduced as the concentration of infectious virus drops over time. However, do not make any assumptions about safety when blood-soiled surfaces, equipment and clothing have not been decontaminated.