File: JLCCA-E
AIDS (ACQUIRED
IMMUNE DEFICIENCE SYNDROME)
Epidemiological studies show that
AIDS is transmitted via sexual contact or blood to blood contact. To date,
there is no recorded transmission of AIDS to family members who are non-sexual
contacts. This fact is also observed with medical personnel who directly care
for and are exposed to AIDS cases. Since there is no evidence of casual
transmission by sitting near, living in the same household, or playing together
with an individual with AIDS, the following guidelines are recommended by the
Governor’s Task Force on AIDS for implementation in school systems throughout
the Commonwealth.
1.
All children diagnosed as having AIDS or with clinical
evidence of infection with the AIDS associated virus, Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV), and receiving medical attention are able to attend regular
classes.
A.
If a child has cutaneous (skin) eruptions or weeping
lesions that cannot be covered, he/she should not be in school.
B.
If the child exhibits inappropriate behavior that increases
the likelihood of transmission (i.e., biting or frequent incontinence), he/she
should not be in school.
C.
Children diagnosed with AIDS or with clinical evidence of
infection with the AIDS associated virus (HIV), who are too ill to attend
school, should have an appropriate alternative education plan.
D.
Siblings of children diagnosed as having AIDS or with
clinical evidence of infection with the AIDS associated virus (HIV) are able to
attend school without any further restrictions.
2.
The child’s personal physician is the primary manager for a
child diagnosed as having AIDS or with clinical evidence of infection with the
AIDS associated virus (HIV). Management includes acting as the “gate keeper”
for the child’s attendance at school in accordance with the policy outlined
above.
A.
The child’s personal physician, after consultation with the
family, is responsible for reporting cases of AIDS to the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health’s Division of Communicable Disease. The school
superintendent will be notified by the child’s personal physician and will
provide assistance in identifying those educational or health care agents with
an absolute need to know.
B.
Only persons with an absolute need to know should have
medical knowledge of a particular student. In individual situations, the
superintendent might notify one or more of the following:
·
Principal
·
School Nurse
·
Teacher
C.
Notification should be by a process that would maximally
assist patient confidentiality. Ideally, this process should be direct
person-to-person contact.
D.
If school authorities believe that a child diagnosed as
having AIDS or with clinical evidence of infection with the AIDS associated
virus (HIV) has evidence of conditions described in #1, then the school
authorities can dismiss the child from the class and request authorization from
the child’s personal physician so that class attendance is in compliance with
the school policy.
E.
If school authorities and the child’s personal physician
are in conflict, then the case should be referred to the Department of Public
Health for review by an appointed physician who would determine the
permissibility of attendance.
3.
Since the child diagnosed as having AIDS or with clinical
evidence of infection with the AIDS associated virus (HIV) has a somewhat
greater risk of encountering infections in the school setting, the child should
be excluded from school if there is an outbreak of a threatening communicable
disease such as chicken pox or measles until he/she is properly treated
(possible with hyperimmunegamma globulin) and/or the outbreak is no longer a
threat to the child.
4.
HIV screening is a blood test for detecting the presence of
antibody to the HIV virus. Antibodies are substances produced by white blood
cells that help fight infection caused by viruses or bacteria. Testing for HIV
antibody is not recommended for any purpose other than to assist the child’s
personal physicians in a highly selected set of clinical decisions. Results of
HIV antibody tests are confidential and should not be reported to schools.
5.
Blood or any other body fluids including vomitus and fecal
or urinary incontinence should be treated cautiously. District employees shall
follow infection control guidelines regarding blood and body fluids.
A.
Spills should be cleaned according to infection control
standards, by personnel specifically trained in this procedure.
6.
All personnel shall receive infection control information
on annually, including appropriate use of personal protective supplies, and
spill cleaning procedures.
7.
All personnel should be informed about personal safety and
appropriate defenses against
Blood-borne pathogens, as well as
about current AIDS information.
[Adopted: 10/14/86]
[Revised: 12/98]
[Revised: September 2003]