**JLCCA-E - MEDICAL GUIDELINES REGARDING BLOOD-BORNE INFECTIONS** **Last Updated Date:** 05/27/2014 **Adoption Date:** 01/10/2006 Medical guidelines regarding students who bleed in an uncontrollable fashion in a school setting A number of serious infectious diseases are spread by contact with human blood. Among these blood-borne infections are the Hepatitis B virus and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).  Consequently, students who bleed uncontrollably should not have routine contact with other individuals in school settings. As a public health measure, students who exhibit the following conditions should be advised not to attend school until such time as these conditions are resolved: 1.         If a student has weeping or bloody skin or mouth sores that cannot be successfully covered or controlled with medications. 2.         If the student exhibits biting of an unusual frequency or severity that would be accompanied by actual transfer of blood from the biter as might happen from a student with chronically bloody gums or mouth. 3.         If the student exhibits bloody diarrhea. 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. Adapted from _Medical Update to Policy Guidelines. In/ants, Toddlers and Preschoolers with HIV Infection/AIDS in Early Childhood Settings_ (Department of Public Health, June 1989) Universal precautions for school settings Universal precautions refer to the usual and ordinary steps all school staff need to take in order to reduce their risk of infection with HIV the virus that causes AIDS as well as all other blood-borne organisms (such as the Hepatitis B Virus). They are universal because they refer to steps that need to be taken in all cases, not only with a staff member or student who is known to be HIV-infected. They are precautions because they require foresight and planning and should be integrated into existing safety guidelines. Appropriate equipment (mops, buckets. Bleach, hot water, hand soap, disposable towels and latex gloves must be readily available to staff members who are responsible for the clean-up of body fluid spills. 1.   Treat human blood spills with caution. 2.   Clean up blood spills promptly. 3.   Inspect the intactness of skin on all exposed body parts, especially the hands. Cover any and all open cuts or broken skin or ask another staff member to do the clean-up. Latex gloves contribute an added measure of protection, but are not essential if the skin is intact. 4.   Clean up blood spills with a solution of one part household bleach to ten parts water, pouring the solution around the periphery of the spill. Disinfect mops, buckets, and other cleaning equipment with fresh bleach solution. 5.   Always wash hands after any contact with body fluids. This should be done immediately in order to avoid contaminating other surfaces or parts of the body (be especially careful not to touch your eyes before washing up). Soap and water will kill HIV. 6.   Clean up other body fluids (urine, vomitus, feces) unless grossly blood contaminated in the usual manner. They do not pose a significant risk of HIV. Adapted from _Universal Precautions for School Settings, Massachusetts_ _Department of Education_ and _Medical Update to Massachusetts Policy Guideline: Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with HIV Infections/AIDS in Early Childhood Settings,_ June 1989