Epidemiologic studies show that AIDS is a viral infection transmitted via intimate sexual contact or blood to blood contact. To date, there is no recorded transmission to AIDS to family members who are non-sexual contacts. There has also been to transmission 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 for implementation in school systems throughout Iowa.
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Routine screening of students for AIDS associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV) is not recommended. Screening should not be a requirement for school entry.
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Children diagnosed as having AIDS, or with laboratory evidence of infection with the IDS associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV), and receiving medical attention are able to attend classes in an unrestricted educational setting. Siblings of infected children are able to attend school without restriction.
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An appropriate alternative educational plan which may include a more restricted environment should be provided for the child diagnosed as having AIDS or laboratory evidence of infection with the HTLV-III/LV virus if:
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Cutaneous (skin) eruptions or weeping lesions that cannot be covered are present.
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Inappropriate behavior that increases the likelihood of transmission (i.e. biting or incontinence) is exhibited.
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The child is too ill to attend school.
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Decisions as to educational management should be shared utilizing expertise of the physician, parent or guardian, public health personnel and those associated with the educational setting.
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Notification of the school should be through the school nurse or person responsible for school health who will notify only those necessary to assure optimal management.
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Notification should be by a process that would maximally provide patient confidentiality. Ideally, this process should be direct person to person contact.
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If school authorities believe that a child diagnoses as having AIDS or with laboratory evidence of infection with the AIDS associated virus (HTLV-III/LV) has evidence of conditions described in #3, 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 within compliance with the school policy.
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If a conflict arises as to the child’s management, the case should be referred to the State Department of Health for review to determine the permissibility of attendance.
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Since the child diagnosed as having AIDS or with laboratory evidence of infection with the AIDS associated virus (HTLV-III/LV) 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 chickenpox or measles until he/she is properly treated and/or the outbreak is no longer a threat to the child.
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Blood or any other body fluids including vomitus and fecal or urinary incontinence in any child should be treated appropriately. It is recommended that gloves be worn when cleaning up any body fluids.
- Spills should be cleaned up, the affected area washed with soap and water and disinfected with bleach (one part bleach to ten parts water), or another disinfectant.
- All disposable materials, including gloves and diapers, should be discarded into a plastic bag before discarding in a conventional trash system. The mop should also be disinfected with bleach solution described in 6A.
- Toys and other personal non-disposable items should be cleaned with soap and water followed by disinfected with the bleach solution before passing to another person. A normal laundry cycle is adequate for other non-disposable items.
- Persons involved in the clean-up should wash their hand afterward.
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In-service education of appropriate school personnel should ensure that proper medical and current information about AIDS is available.
Approved 7/21/86 Reviewed 7-19-17 Revised 1/17/94 __
