HIV/AIDS GUIDELINES at KSU

• Sharing needles and syringes with someone who has the virus.

• Having sex–vaginal, oral, or anal–with someone who has the virus.

• A baby’s exposure to his or her infected mother during pregnancy or birth or through breast feeding.”

(American Red Cross HIV/AIDS Facts Book, 1998, p.32)

“HIV can infect anyone who has sexual or blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. The virus can infect men, women, and children. Men who have sex with men or women, and women who have sex with men or women, are at risk if their partners are infected with HIV. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms, however, greatly reduces the risk of infection. Risks are related to what people do, not who they are.” (American Red Cross HIV/AIDS Facts Book, 1998, p.33)

D. Testing and Transmission

The virus that causes AIDS has been identified as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). A blood test is available which checks for the presence of antibodies to HIV; this test is not a test for AIDS. An “HIV positive” test reveals only that the person had been exposed to HIV, it does NOT indicate whether a person has developed AIDS. The University community should understand that national and local medical authorities agree that HIV/AIDS is not communicable to others through casual contact. It is transmitted through contact with the body fluids (blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal fluids) of people who have been infected. Since most HIV-infected individuals are asymptomatic and may be unaware of their own infected status, all persons should avoid direct contact with any other individual’s blood and other body fluids.

E. Donating and Receiving Blood Transfusions

There is no risk of contracting HIV through blood donation.

“The risk of becoming infected with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) from a blood transfusion in the United States is extremely low. To protect people who receive blood transfusions from becoming infected with HIV, the Red Cross and other blood banks have interviewed donors since 1993, and tested blood for signs of HIV since 1985.” (American Red Cross HIV/AIDS Facts Book, 1998, p.72)

F. Casual Contact

People with AIDS or an HIV infection present no danger to those with whom they go to class, share bathrooms, eat, work, or study near. Objects touched or handled by people with HIV/AIDS are not contaminated and need not be feared. For example, there is no need for concern for the safety of swimming pools, saunas, or telephones because of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted by coughing or sneezing. Those living with persons with HIV/AIDS are at no extra risk unless they are sexual partners or they are sharing contaminated needles, toothbrushes, razors, etc. or other personal items.

G. Summary

While the human immunodeficiency virus is not highly communicable, it causes a serious, life-threatening disease. The following guidelines have been developed to provide guidance to the total University community regarding HIV/AIDS. The Health and Communicable Diseases Committee has reviewed information on HIV/AIDS provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the American College Health Association and called on the scientific expertise of the faculty. The committee feels that it is critical to have guidelines which are sensitive to the welfare of the community and to the needs of persons with the disease.

In that there is much misunderstanding concerning HIV/AIDS, educational efforts are necessary to inform the campus of the nature of HIV/AIDS, the test for HIV antibodies, transmission, treatment, and resources for personal support. An informed community is better able to prevent, control, and respond rationally to persons who may have HIV/AIDS.

Lafene Health Center Services

Lafene Health Center, conveniently located on the K-State Campus, is an outpatient medical facility for all students while attending the University. Keeping Lafene personnel current on HIV/AIDS information is a definite priority to maximize appropriate treatment modalities. It is the Health Center’s mission to in turn be able to provide all students educational information and materials in an effort to assist them with their medical conditions.

A. Confidential Treatment

All patient care provided at Lafene Health Center is confidential. Therefore, those who seek HIV testing or treatment can expect quality confidential care. Special policies and procedures are in place to protect the patient’s right to confidential treatment. The confidentiality policy of Lafene may be found in the statement, “Rights and Responsibilities of Patients” which is posted at Lafene and available upon request.

Students, faculty, and staff whose behavior places them in a position of concern are encouraged to have an HIV antibody blood test. Lafene Health Center provides the students this testing opportunity accompanied by pre and post test counseling by qualified healthcare providers. (State law requires that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) be notified of any new HIV Infection.)

When appropriate, healthcare providers will educate patients about their HIV infection and stress the importance of sharing their HIV infection status with any physician or dentist they may see for medical or dental care. HIV/AIDS medical treatment can be extremely complex and new drugs are constantly being developed. Due to this complexity, a student seeking medical care who also has HIV/AIDS will most likely be referred for medical care provided by an Infectious Disease specialist.

Situations may arise on campus which will require special attention beyond the usual scope of the Lafene Health Center. When these occur, the medical expertise of Lafene staff may be shared with a select group in order to reach a solution, but only with the consent of the patient. These situations will require a special means to assure confidentiality and the patient will be included in the solution process.

B. Sexual Health Awareness Peer Educators (S.H.A.P.E.)

Educational programs for the University community are extremely important and Lafene staff are prepared to share in this process. The Sexual Health Awareness Peer Educators (S.H.A.P.E.) Program, coordinated through Lafene’s Department of Health Education and Promotion, serves as a liaison between the student population at K-State and Lafene Health Center. The peer educators disseminate information on emotional, physical, and social issues regarding STDs including HIV/AIDS, in an attempt to reduce fears and to diffuse prejudices.

Note: For information about becoming a peer educator or to schedule a S.H.A.P.E. presentation, call Lafene Health Center at 532-6595.

Counseling Services

In an effort to respond in a positive manner to these HIV/AIDS-related concerns, Counseling Services is prepared to provide psychological services and education to the University community or to be able to make referrals to resources available in the community. Counseling Services will participate with Lafene Student Health Services as well as the University Health and Communicable Diseases Committee as a resource for members of the campus community with questions.

A. Services for Clients

Confidential psychological services and education are available to high-risk students and to those who may have been diagnosed with an HIV infection or as having AIDS. Psychological services may include, but are not limited to, assessment, therapeutic intervention, and possible referral to include pastoral counseling and support. Specific intervention and involvement will entail environmental-coping skills and developing a variety of problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. The provision of education may cover areas such as:

1) responsibility of the high risk individual to self and others, including knowledge about safer sex practices;

2) coping with fear and prejudice from non-high-risk individuals;

3) national and local HIV/AIDS information and support groups; and

4) appropriate referral for medical or other services.

B. Services for Others

Fear of HIV/AIDS, produced by several contributing factors heretofore mentioned, may necessitate the dissemination of accurate information to individuals who are not considered to be at high risk. Additional psychological consultation may be provided to significant others sharing a common space environment if confidentiality is waived by the client.

C. Statement of Confidentiality

It is the expressed intent of Counseling Services to adhere, in customary fashion, to current American Psychological Association and American Association for Counseling and Development Guidelines for Ethical Principles and Standards for Providers of Psychological Services (available on request).

These guidelines, including all statements in reference to confidentiality, will remain in full effect when services and education are provided to individuals with any AIDS related concern or issue.

Information pertaining to issues of confidentiality will be provided to the client during the first interview. Release of any client information, except during supervision or consultation with an appropriate colleague will not take place without the written consent of the client.

Participation in Campus Activities

A. Housing: Residence Halls & Organized Living Groups

Residence-hall, family-housing, and employment opportunities in the Department of
Housing will be made available to persons with HIV/AIDS under the same conditions as applicable to any individual. In addition, attempts will be made to meet the special housing needs of those affected. It is recommended that the Department of Housing and Dining Services establish additional guidelines, educational programs, and resources with regard to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS to meet the needs of all residents and employees.

The University recognizes the independent nature of Greek Chapter Houses and offers them the educational, health, and student-service resources of the University community in dealing with problems relative to HIV/AIDS.

B. Classrooms and Laboratories

The risk of contracting HIV in the classroom is considered so unlikely that no particular procedures are recommended. If, in fact, fellow students and classmates have fears and concerns regarding HIV/AIDS, it would be in their best interest to obtain information about the infection and to address the issue directly through an education program.

Individuals with bloodborne infections (i.e. HIV, hepatitis B) are often symptom free and do not know they are infected. For this reason, if a bleeding injury occurs in a classroom, those assisting the injured must take all precautions to avoid direct contact with blood. This precaution will protect the caregiver from possible bloodborne infections carried by the injured; likewise it will protect the injured from acquiring infections at the wound site from microorganisms carried on the caregiver’s skin.

All classroom first aid kits should contain rubber gloves. Gloves should be worn when any caregiver
assists any injured person. Gloving should apply in all bleeding injury cases, not just those in which a caregiver or injured person is suspected to be infected with a bloodborne disease.

Reference is made to the KSU Bloodborne Pathogen Policy, dated September 1, 1992, outlining KSU workplace precautions for bloodborne pathogens. These guidelines are in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 as implied by K.S.A. 44-636.

C. Athletic Activities

Most sports are contact sports where contact with others is encouraged, allowed, or occurs on a regular basis. Injuries in contact sports may result in wounds to participants. Persons with HIV/AIDS should explore the advisability of participation in sports which may produce collision injuries or. wounds. When wounds occur to HIV infected individuals, a spread of disease may occur. Should wounds occur, the participant has the responsibility to inform the others of the possibility of contamination.

Employees

For all work-related purposes, an employee with HIV/AIDS will be treated in the same manner as persons who develop other kinds of chronic illnesses.

The first response to an individual who has HIV/AIDS must be compassion. The University seeks to accommodate an employees medical condition to permit the individual to remain actively at work as long as possible. Other employees and students have no reason to be informed, nor are they to be informed, of a medical condition of an employee with HIV/AIDS.

As required by non-discrimination laws protecting disabled persons, the University shall make reasonable accommodations, to be determined on a case by case basis, to help employees with a known disability satisfactorily complete their work duties. For assistance in determining accommodations both the Affirmative Action Office and Human Resource Services should be contacted. Accommodations will be determined based upon the facts of each case and with concern for the best interest of. all involved. If employees provide information to University personnel for purposes of requesting reasonable accommodations, that information shall remain confidential except insofar as it must be discussed with supervisors and administrators to determine an accommodation. The employee has an obligation to inform the supervisor of the effectiveness of an accommodation.

Restructuring of job duties may be an appropriate accommodation, providing this can be accomplished while meeting the needs of the department. Human Resource Services and the Affirmative Action Office will assist in every way possible to ensure continuous employment for as long as possible.

Unless medically justified, the University will not transfer or change working conditions because an employee has an HIV infection or AIDS or because of concerns about a coworker having HIV/AIDS.

The University has personnel guidelines on medical disability; if the faculty or staff member is unable to carry out assigned duties, he/she can be placed on leave. Disability income eligibility begins after 180 days of continuous, and total disability.

Although there is no evidence that University healthcare workers who may be infected with HIV have transmitted infection to patients, a risk of transmission of the infection to patients may exist under particular circumstances. Therefore, any healthcare workers who contract HIV must report that fact to the Director of the Lafene Health Center so that appropriate precautions may be taken. Healthcare workers who do not perform invasive procedures and who have contracted HIV will not be restricted from work unless there is evidence of other infection or illness for which the worker would be restricted.

Healthcare workers who are responsible for providing care to those who are known to have HIV/AIDS shall deliver normal patient services.

Current medical evidence indicates that the human immunodeficiency virus is not transmitted during the preparation or serving of food or beverages or by close personal contact. Food-service workers, child-care workers, or others who perform personal services who have an HIV infection or AIDS will not be restricted from work unless there is evidence of other infection or illness for which any such employee would also be restricted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for exercising care in the handling of foods should be followed.

Any employee who works with or provides services for an individual who is known to have HIV/AIDS will be expected to carry out his or her normal work duties. An employee requesting transfer due to concerns about the disease will be considered for such vacancies as are available on the same basis as other candidates for those positions.

Any employee, who discovers they have HIV/AIDS, is advised to seek medical advice and employment accommodations to protect themselves from infections that may exist in their work environment.

Employees who discover that a co-worker has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and who are concerned about health risks should feel free to discuss those concerns with their department head and medical doctor.

University Health and Communicable Diseases Committee (HCDC)

The University Vice-President for Institutional Advancement has appointed a committee composed of senior University officials to insure that necessary educational programs on HIV/AIDS are implemented, that these programs are up-to-date on current scientific information about the disease, and that once these recommended policies and procedures are adopted, they are financed and carefully followed. This committee is also charged with the responsibility of recommending modifications to the above recommended policies and procedures as needed to ensure consistency with medical, scientific, or legal changes that may take place in the future. This committee is to be called, Health and Communicable Diseases Committee and is composed of the following officials:

a representative of Multicultural Affairs,
Unclassified Affirmative Action Director,
Religious Activities Coordinator,
Disabled Student Services Director,
Department of Housing and Dining Services Director,
Counseling Services Director,
a Lafene Health Center Health Educator,
a representative of the Office of the Vice-President for Institutional Advancement,
a representative of the Classified Senate,
a representative of the Dean of Student Life Office,
a representative of the Division of Biology,
a representative of the Faculty Senate, representative of the Bisexual/Gay/Lesbian Students,
a representative of Greek Affairs,
a representative of Human Development and Family Studies,
a representative of the Human Resource Services,
a representative of Student Senate, and
a representative of the University Attorney’s Office.

Meeting Special Needs

The future may require difficult decisions concerning the rights of the individual, the need for medical or psychological assistance, and the welfare of the larger community. To facilitate such decision-making and provide for such needs, Lafene physicians or other University staff members may find it necessary to seek the assistance of a small group of University personnel. For example, representatives from campus psychological services, faculty, Lafene Director or medical staff, University or Students’ Attorney, or patient advocates might be consulted in such efforts. Such consultation will take place only with the consent of the student or employee involved, unless consent is refused and inaction is deemed to endanger the welfare of others.