HIV / AIDS and Hepatitis B in the School Setting

Hepatitis B Information

WHAT IS HIV/AIDS?

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the advanced stage of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. The virus attacks the body immune system, leaving it vulnerable to life-threatening infections and cancers. Persons infected with HIV frequently have no apparent symptoms and usually appear to be in good health. There is no known cure for AIDS.

HOW IS HIV INFECTION SPREAD?

Everyone infected with HIV even a person without apparent symptoms, can transmit the virus to someone else. HIV infection can be transmitted by:

1. Any sexual activity involving direct contact with semen, blood, or vaginal secretion of someone who is infected.
2. Sharing intravenous (IV) needles and/or syringes with someone who is infected.
3. Sharing unsterilized instruments for tattooing, ear piercing, shaving, or acupuncture with someone who is infected.
4. Direct contact on broken skin with infected blood.
5. Accidental needle sticks with needles containing infected blood.
6. Receiving blood transfusion or blood products from someone who is infected (a screening test has been used since 1985 has reduced this risk to 1 in 68,000 in California, AIDS Update December, 1988), and
7. Being born to or breast fed by an infected mother.

The HIV/AIDS virus cannot be transmitted or spread through air or water, on surfaces such as phones, doorknobs, toilets, sinks, etc. by coughing or sneezing, or through kissing or biting.

SYMPTOMS:

• Fever
• Swollen Glands
• Loss of Appetite
• Night Sweats
• Diarrhea

 

 

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B?

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus present in blood and other body fluids of infected persons. Less than 50% of the persons who become infected show symptoms of illness. The onset of symptoms may appear 6 weeks to 6 months after becoming infected with the virus. Death is uncommon, but 5 – 10% of those infected become long term virus carriers. Up to 25% of carriers may develop serious chronic liver diseases. There is a highly effective vaccination to prevent infection with Hepatitis B.

 

HOW IS HEPATITIS B SPREAD?

An infected person can transmit Hepatitis B as long as the virus remains in the blood. Transmission may occur as early as 4 weeks before any symptoms occur. Hepatitis B is spread by:

1. Sexual activity involving direct contact with semen, blood, or vaginal secretions of someone who is infected.
2. Sharing unsterile instruments used to penetrate the skin such as those used for tattooing, ear piercing.
3. Sharing intravenous (IV) needles and/or syringes with someone who is infected.
4. Direct contact of infected blood with mucous membrane of the eye and mouth.
5. Direct contact of infected blood with broken skin (e.g., cuts).
6. Accidental needle sticks with needles contaminated with infected blood.
7. Sharing toothbrushes contaminated with infected blood.
8. Being born to an infected mother.

SYMTOMS:

• Mild Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of Appetite
• Muscle Aches
• Nausea
• Joint Aches
• Vomiting
• Brown Urine
• Abdominal Pain
• Skin becomes yellowish (Jaundice)

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS

Universal Precautions are precautions used in all situations and not limited to use with individuals known to be carrying a specific virus such as HIV or the virus causing Hepatitis B. In the school setting, those precautions should include: Hand washing, using gloves, careful trash disposal, using disinfectants, and modifications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

HAND WASHING: Hand washing facilities should include soap and warm running water. Automatic hand dryers or paper towels can be used for drying. Classroom instruction about proper hand washing can be integrated into health instruction at all grade levels. Students should be instructed to wash their hands for 10 seconds. Scheduling time for students to wash hands before eating is suggested to encourage this practice.

USING GLOVES: All staff members who may be required to administer first aid involving blood or to handle body fluids that may contain blood should have access to latex gloves in the areas where gloves might to required to be used. Gloves should be used only once and then disposed properly.

TRASH DISPOSAL: Special containers lined with plastic and marked appropriately are recommended for disposal of trash containing blood or any body spills that may contain blood. These wastes should be doubles bagged. If needles, syringes, or lancets are used in the school setting, arrange for puncture-proof container. Contact SUSD Department of Health Services for directions about disposal of contaminated materials. Place intact needles and syringes in the designated container. Do not bend or break needles. Do not recap needles.

FIRST AID INVOLVING BLOOD AND CPR: Individuals with responsibility for administering first aid in school, on the athletic fields, in the cafeterias, on the playgrounds, or on school buses should have current CPR instruction and certification. That instruction can be provided by agencies such as the American Red Cross and the American Hearth Association. Gloves should be standard components of first and supplies in the school so that they are readily accessible for emergencies and regular care given in school health offices, cafeterias, and athletic training rooms. Devices that prevent backflow of fluids from the mouth of a victim being given CPR also should be readily accessible to those persons most likely to be the rescuers in the school setting.

POLICIES AND LAWS

The law stares that the information regarding HIV/AIDS status requires written permission. The information may only be shared with persons specifically named.

While adults grant their own written permission to share their HIV/AIDS status, parents and/or guardians of children can grant written permission to share information on students under 18.

Sharing information about HIV/AIDS infected persons without consent is prohibited by law, and that person is subject to a civil penalty and fine not to exceed $5,000.

The policies for students with HIV/AIDS state that students must not be excluded or placed specially or solely because of their HIV status.

Only a student's physician may determine if school attendance is inappropriate due to the student's vulnerability to infectious present at school.

Current law does not require parents or physicians to inform school officials of the student's HIV/AIDS status. If disclosure by student or parent is made, it must be kept confidential unless Written permission is given.

The legalities of testing: It is a misdemeanor to disclose blood rest results of HIV/AIDS positives except by written authorization (CH&S Code Chapter 1.11 & 1.12 Sections 199.21, 199.30, 199.31 & 199.37).

Pupils in grades 7 – 12 must receive AIDS prevention instruction at least once in junior high or middle school and once in high school (CA Ed Code 51201.5).

District are required to provide in service training for those employees who provide AIDS prevention instruction (CA Ed Code 51229.8).