Bloodborne infections: should they be disclosed? Is differential treatment necessary?

Abstract

There are students and staff in many schools with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV infections. Should parents or guardians be expected to disclose students' bloodborne infections to school officials? Can infected students play contact sports given the increased risk of blood spills? What type of response plan should schools develop in the event of a blood spill to protect student health and privacy? This article summarizes the policies and approaches that the federal government and medical, school nursing, teacher, and parent organizations have taken on these issues. It suggests strategies school nurses can employ to protect the civil rights, privacy, and health of all students and school staff.