Medical professionals in the east have a greater risk of being exposed to blood borne diseases and other ailments.
Pitt County's American Red Cross expanded the number of classes on blood borne pathogen prevention this year.
The state recently required foster parents to be certified in this area.
That could be the reason for an increase in applicants for these classes.
Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C, and HIV are a few of the viruses people can be exposed to.
Health professionals say protection goes beyond just washing your hands for 15 to 20 seconds.
"They prepare you to prevent and respond so the best thing is to have the knowledge to prevent it, so you hopefully don't have to respond. But if you do, you know the proper way to do it in a safe way," said Toni Heffner, the Health & Safety Services Director.
The Red Cross says the certification is good for one year.
Nurses and childcare professionals can earn continuing education credit in the process.
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