Policy Concerning AIDS/HIV INTRODUCTION The School Committee understands that the best advice from medical specialists today is that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, through blood-to-blood contact (such as the sharing of injection drug needles and syringes) and from an infected woman to her baby at or before birth. The School Committee further understands that a large body of research has demonstrated that HIV is not transmitted through casual contact, such as in a school setting. Therefore, except in very rare cases, there appears to be no legitimate public health reason to exclude students with AIDS or HIV infection from attending school. 1. STUDENT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES a. ATTENDANCE All children diagnosed as having AIDS or with clinical evidence of infection with the AIDS-associated virus (HIV) and receiving medical attention are able to attend regular classes. However, students who exhibit the following conditions shall not attend school until such time as these conditions are resolved:
These conditions are grounds for the exclusion of any student from a school setting, regardless of whether she/he is known or suspected to harbor a blood borne infection. Children diagnosed as having 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 educational plan. Siblings of children diagnosed as having AIDS or with clinical evidence of infection with the AIDS-associated virus (HIV) are able to attend to school without any restrictions. The personal physician of a child diagnosed as having AIDS or with clinical evidence of infection with the AIDS-associated virus (HIV) is the primary manager. |
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 acquiring 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 hyperimmune gamma globulin) and/or the outbreak is no longer a threat to the child. In physical education classes, intramural activities, recess, interscholastic sports and similar activities, no student shall return to play until all open wounds are covered with appropriate dry dressing. Regulations recommended by the MIAA Blue Book will be followed. b. DISCLOSURE The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) are the gatekeepers of information relating to the student’s AIDS/HIV status. Under Massachusetts law, they are not obliged to disclose this information to school personnel. However, a student, who is diagnosed with AIDS or presents evidence of being immuno-compromised, is at a greater risk of contracting infections. This means there may be good reasons for the child’s own protection to inform the school nurse, school physician and the school principal of a student’s AIDS diagnosis or HIV infection status. This student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) would benefit from information from the school nurse or school physician about the occurrence of threatening contagious diseases (such as chicken pox or influenza) when making a decision regarding school attendance. The school nurse or school physician may also need to attend to the particular needs of HIV-infected students regarding immunization schedules and medications. In consultation with the student’s primary care physician, the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) may decide to inform certain school personnel about the student’s AIDS/HIV status. We encourage parents to authorize disclosure to the school nurse, the school physician, the school principal and other appropriate staff members, who are in effective positions to aid the child. If they choose to disclose, the following guidelines are recommended:
In-service programs for school nurses and other appropriate staff will be conducted as new information becomes available. |
If an adolescent student has sought HIV antibody testing independent of parental consent, that student has the right to keep this information confidential, and any disclosure of this information would require the student’s specific, informed written consent. [Note: Under state public health statue M.G.L. c. 112 s. 12F, minors may consent to their own dental care and medical testing, diagnosis and treatment in certain circumstances (including HIV infection). This law mandates confidentiality of medical information and records except when an attending physician or dentist reasonably believes that the condition of the minor is so serious that the minor’s life or limb is endangered.] 2. EMPLOYEE GUIDELINES
Wellesley Public School employees with life-threatening illnesses, including, but not limited to, cancer, heart disease, and AIDS may wish to continue to work. As long as employees are able to meet acceptable performance standards, and medical evidence indicates that their condition is not a threat to themselves or others, |
Under Massachusetts law, staff members who are infected with HIV can decide whether they want their colleagues or students to know about the illness (they are not obliged to disclose this information). Should school personnel be notified, the same issues regarding confidentiality as described for students will prevail. Mandatory screening for communicable diseases that are not spread by casual, everyday contact, such as HIV infection, shall not be a condition for school entry or attendance, or for employment or continued employment. 3. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS They are universal because they refer to steps that will be taken in all cases, not only when a staff member or student is known to be HIV-infected. They are precautions because they require foresight and planning, and will be integrated into existing safety guidelines. Appropriate equipment (mops, buckets, bleach, hot water, hand soap, disposable towels and latex gloves) will be readily available to all staff members who are responsible for the clean-up of body fluid spills.
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