Which bloodborne pathogens affect the immune system?

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is indeed a bloodborne pathogen that has a significant impact on the immune system. This virus primarily attacks the liver but can also lead to cascading effects on the overall immune response. Once infected, the body mounts an immune response to fight the virus, which can lead to chronic inflammation and liver damage. In some cases, chronic HBV infection can compromise the immune system, making the individual more susceptible to other infections and diseases.

Hepatitis A (HAV) primarily affects the liver but is not classified as a bloodborne pathogen. It is transmitted through the fecal-oral route rather than through blood, and it does not have the same long-term immune system effects as Hepatitis B.

The influenza virus is primarily a respiratory pathogen rather than a bloodborne pathogen. While it affects the immune system during an infection, it does not specifically target the immune system in the way that Hepatitis B does.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium that primarily affects the lungs and is transmitted through the air rather than through blood. While TB does impact the immune system, it is not classified as a bloodborne pathogen as it doesn't spread through blood.

Thus, the specific nature of HBV as a