Re: Deadly Communicable Disease
Jeff Menaker (jxm181@PSU.EDU)
Thu, 13 Feb 1997 15:13:55 -0500
I do not feel there is a need to remove any scout from the troop due to
his HIV+ status. I also don't see a reason to require special stuff, such
as a parent on every event.
Although definitely decreased, there is still much confusion about HIV,
among other communicable diseases. Why should HIV be any different than
HBV? both are communicated through body fluid and potentially deadly, HBV
slightly more communicable though.
> 3) Maturity Level: Can I trust the boy with the responsibility to not
> purposely transmit the disease to other people? Will the boy stop a first
> aid volunteer if they are not taking the proper precautions in treating
> him? What do I tell the parents of the boy who was bitten or spit upon by
> misconduct of the HIV infected boy?
I think maturity of the scout w/ HIV is a pretty useless point. I suspect
someone who knowingly has the virus has been briefed on how to deal with
it, and its dangers, not to mention that we're talking about scouts. I
think it's pretty safe to trust somone not to purposefully transmit this
disease.
Will he stop a improperly prepaired volunteer?... i certainly hope he
knows the precautions and can recognize them. But also, the volunteer
should know them too... and use them all the time, after all they are
"Universal Precautions" there should be no need to do any different
treatment as long as you're using the same universal precautions.
what to tell parents: there have been many studies done over transmission
of this disease. Find the statistics on transmission through spit, or
biting... i believe they are minimal.
how often do you have serious injuries among your scouts?... you should be
running a pretty safe program for them. Though minor first aid may be
required, there shouldn't be a need to expect much more. Still, being
prepared is good.
> blood borne pathogens at all times. Yet, should the troop ask the first
> aid volunteer to knowingly risk their life to accidental exposure to blood
> and other body fluids?
no, the troop should ask the first aid volunteer to properly care for
himself and the patient so that neither of them are at risk.
> 5) We should be teaching protection from bloodborne pathogens anyway. If
> we apply first aid to each other as if we are treating total strangers
this is something that "should" be done all the time anyway. I know,
personally I don't always follow universal precautions, especially when I
deal with scouts in my troop. This is a mistake I choose to make.
Training in first aid includes protecting the care provider. All of the
necessary equipment should be easily accessed when needed. Unless there
is a severe problem, there is no reason the patient can't assist in their
own care while you put on a pair of gloves.
> 6) Keeping HIV secret to prevent hazing and shunning in school: Most
> likely, having a requirement to have a family member or friend with the
> scout at all times will result in the revelation that the scout is HIV
> positive. This would be the same as banning all HIV positive boys from the
> troop.
I think keeping it secret or not is up to the child and his family. If
they wish it not to be known, then you won't know. There's nothing to
force them to even alert you. At the same time, they may want the troop
to know... to be aware, to help the scout.
It depends on the maturity of all involved, I think. If the scouts are
able to handle it, and the family doesn't mind, then why not tell them.
Make it educational... tell him about the disease, prevention,
transmission, first aid precautions. Have a group discussion on THEIR
feelings about aids.
[snipped out of order]
> handling." This will also cover other medical conditions. The PLC decided
> to equip the troop first aid kit as if they will be treating total
> strangers, ie... one full gown in case, dry barrier masks with eye shield,
> long gloves, and bio-hazard waste kits. They also are asking for training
> to know how to protect themselves from exposure to bloodborne pathogens as
> a first aid
I agree with outfitting the kit as if dealing with strangers. Perhaps
rather than stranger, it's really just people of unknown medical history.
I agree with keeping gloves (they're pretty standard now anyway) in the
kit. Adding all of the other stuff because you have just enrolled a HIV+
scout is rude. Also, I feel if there's enough blood and other fluids that
you are going to need a full gown, then unless you have extra training,
there's really not much for you to do.
now that you have all of this stuff, I assume you've developed a training
program and have figured out how to dispose of any infectious waste after
putting it in the red bag?
I think this discussion is pretty much unnecessary. There are going to be
scouts in the troop with some medical condition or another. Some of them
will be communicable... perhaps even hiv or hepatitis. But, that doesn't
mean you will know about it. Does the scout who has HIV deserve a
different program if he tells you his medical history rather than you not
knowing at all?
Lack of Planning on Your Part,Does not Constitute an Emergency on My Part
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Jeff Menaker | <lifeguard@psu.edu> | ____
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