According to "Universal Precautions", what is considered infectious?

The concept of "Universal Precautions" is essential in infection control and denotes that all human blood is treated as potentially infectious. This principle is based on the understanding that various bodily fluids can harbor pathogens capable of causing infections. Specifically, all blood from human sources is considered infectious due to the potential presence of a variety of bloodborne pathogens.

Additionally, certain body fluids are also viewed as infectious, including but not limited to semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, and peritoneal fluid. These fluids can also contain harmful microorganisms that may lead to transmission of infections.

The inclusion of both all human blood and certain body fluids in defining what is infectious reinforces the need for consistent protocol in healthcare and environmental settings to protect workers and others from potential exposure to infectious diseases. Thus, the selection of the answer that combines both aspects—recognizing both the infectious nature of all human blood and certain specific body fluids—accurately encapsulates the breadth of what Universal Precautions covers in terms of infection risk.