Blood-borne viruses

Policy

This policy outlines how schools deal with blood-borne viruses.

Summary

• Blood-borne viruses include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
• Students should not face victimisation or discrimination because they are infected by a blood-borne viruses. State and federal anti-discrimination laws provide protection against such discrimination on the basis of ‘disability’, which may include a blood-borne virus.
• Schools must respect a student with a blood-borne virus has a right to confidentiality.
• Risks of contracting blood-borne viruses are negligible. Schools have a duty of care to provide first aid to students or staff with a blood-borne virus, with the standard precautions they follow for students and staff without a blood-borne virus.
• For further information about blood-borne viruses and other infectious diseases, consult the Department of Health and Human Services Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit.

Details

Health support planning

A student with a blood-borne virus (BBV) (for example HIV) may require additional health support at school. Where appropriate a Student Health Support Plan (DOCX) should be developed in collaboration with the parent/carer and student, outlining how the school will support the student’s health care needs.

Privacy

Students with a BBV are entitled to have their BBV status treated confidentially.

The BBV status of a student is a private matter between a student and their family doctor. If this information is shared with the principal as part of health support planning or otherwise, the principal must:

• respect the student's right to confidentiality
• not share this information with others unless parent/carer consent (and/or student consent where appropriate) is sought, unless the disclosure is required or authorised by law.

Note: the above privacy principles also apply to school staff. Refer to the Department's policy on Privacy and Information Sharing.

Protection from discrimination

Schools must avoid any form of discrimination of students with a BBV and protect students from victimisation or discrimination based on BBV infection. Examples of discrimination include:

• refusing to enrol the student
• excluding the student from attendance
• denying access to school programs or activities
• failing to protect the student from harassment or victimisation
• differential application of school rules

Exclusion from school is not required for individuals with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. Schools should consult with the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit within the Department of Health and Human Services with further questions or concerns about disclosure or exclusion.

Risk of infection

The Department of Health and Human Services advises as long as standard hygiene, safety, infection prevention and control and first aid procedures are followed:

• risks of contracting blood borne viruses are negligible
• schools have a duty to provide first aid to students or staff with a BBV, with the standard precautions they follow for students or staff without a BBV

Blood spills from any student or staff member should always be treated as if the blood is potentially infectious, irrespective of whether the individual has a BBV or not.

BBV prevention and education

Immunisation provides the best protection against hepatitis B and is part of the routine schedule of childhood vaccines in Victoria.

Prevention of other blood born infection is also supported by the health and physical education learning area delivered through the Victorian Curriculum F–10 that addresses health behaviours and BBV risk factors.

• Victorian Curriculum F–10
• Guidelines for the control of infectious diseases

For further information on preventing and controlling hepatitis specifically, refer to the department's Guidelines for Hepatitis (DOCX).

Definitions

BBV
Blood-borne viruses are spread when blood from a person with a virus in the blood enters another person’s bloodstream. In Australia, the most common way it is transmitted is through sharing unsterile injecting drug equipment. Other methods of infection are unsafe sex, and tattooing or other procedures that involve unsterile or reused equipment. Examples of BBV include hepatitis B and C.

Related policies

• Blood Spills and Open Wounds Management
• Child and Family Violence Information Sharing Schemes
• First Aid for Students and Staff
• Infectious Diseases
• Privacy and Information Sharing

Relevant legislation

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)
• Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)

Guidance

There is no further guidance for this topic. For more information, refer to Resources tab.

Resources

Templates and forms

• Student Health Support Plan (DOCX) – should be developed (where appropriate) to assist a student with a BBV in collaboration with the parent/carer and student, outlining how the school will support the student’s health care needs

Extra guidance materials

• Guidelines for Hepatitis (DOCX) – the department’s guidance on how to prevent and control Hepatitis in schools, central and regional offices

Useful websites

• Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit – a Department of Health and Human Services resource that contains further information about BBV and other infectious diseases