Southern Adventist University is committed to promoting the health and safety of all its students and employees. As part of this effort, the university has established procedures to follow when students/ employees have contracted a communicable disease.
DEFINITIONS
Communicable Disease. A health-threatening disease that can be transmitted from one person to another through direct or indirect contact, examples include but are not limited to, hepatitis, HIV, influenza, meningitis, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis.
Exposure. Direct contact of an infectious agent - such as bodily fluids, droplets, or aerosols – with an area of broken skin or mucous membrane of the eyes, nose, mouth; piercing through the skin with a contaminated sharp instrument; or other method of infection.
COMMON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Should students/employees suspect they have a communicable disease they should immediately contact their health care provider and the University Health Center to initiate treatment and precautionary measures to prevent transmission to others.
HIV/AIDS. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a blood-borne disease caused by a virus known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus attacks and destroys the body’s immune system. The virus is transmitted through the exchange of contaminated bodily fluids such as blood, semen or vaginal secretions. The primary methods of transmission from one individual to another include intimate sexual contact and the sharing of syringes and other drug equipment that has come in contact with contaminated blood products. Because the virus is fragile, it cannot remain infectious for prolonged periods outside the body. It does not appear to be transmitted by casual contact, i.e. via drinking cups, eating utensils, water fountains, toilet seats, or even exposure to tears or saliva.
Influenza is a communicable disease that has symptoms such as fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. While most people who get influenza recover, some individuals will develop life-threatening complications such as pneumonia. The University Health Center offers flu vaccination during the fall each year. Students/Employees are encouraged, but not required, to obtain flu vaccinations.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella are acute, highly contagious viral diseases which can be transmitted through casual contact. Southern adheres to the Tennessee state regulations requiring proof of two vaccinations or immunity.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that is spread from person to person through the air. The general symptoms include feeling sick or weak, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. Other symptoms of TB of the lungs include coughing with or without bloody sputum and chest pain.
Viral Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver condition caused by a group of related viruses. Three types are most common: Type A, milder than the others and self-limiting, contracted from exposure to contaminated food or water; types B and C, both contracted from either blood exposure or sexual contact and causing a more severe, chronic condition than type A. Symptoms are generally flu-like initially, and can progress to abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dark urine and yellowing of the skin.
Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the tissues covering the spinal cord and brain. While it has multiple potential causes, one of the most dangerous is infection from bacteria. Some types of bacterial meningitis are highly contagious. Common bacteria can be transmitted through the spread of respiratory emissions during coughing, kissing, or sneezing or even sharing a water bottle. Common symptoms include headache, profound neck stiffness, fever, sensitivity to light and sound, confusion and an altered level of consciousness. Immediate emergency medical care is imperative, and immunization is recommended for adolescents/young adults, especially if living in a group-housing environment.
PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW
Hygiene. Students/Employees are to comply with hygiene standards in order to reduce transmission of communicable diseases. See your department guidelines for specific procedures in dealing with blood and other contagions. (Refer to Universal Precautions Guidelines Below.) For information about the various communicable diseases, along with preventative measures, students/employees should visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website http://www.cdc.gov/.
Reporting. A student/employee should report any exposure to a contagious disease that might pose a direct threat to the health and safety of the University. Suspected communicable diseases should be reported immediately to the University Health Center.
Response team. This team will include the VP of Student Development, and the directors of the following departments will designate someone from their area, University Health Center, Campus Safety, Risk Management, School of Nursing, and a female and male dean.
A medically impaired student/employee with a communicable disease will be provided reasonable consideration regarding classes/work responsibilities as long as the disease poses no serious threat to the health, safety, or welfare of other students/employees.
Confidentiality. Medical information will be treated confidentially. Students/employees exposed to a communicable disease may be informed about possible exposure but not the identity of the person who is ill. State law requires that Public Health Officials be informed of any occurrence of a communicable disease on campus.
Workers’ Compensation. In most cases, employees who contract an illness through work are entitled to coverage under Workers’ Compensation. Work-related communicable diseases are to be reported, and the appropriate Workers’ Compensation claim form is to be completed.
Medical Leave. The University may require students/employees to take a leave from their classes/work if they pose a serious risk to the health of others. Before returning to class/work they may be required to provide a physician’s statement that they are no longer contagious.
Travel. Before traveling, students/employees should review their immunization history and determine from the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/travel), as well as their own healthcare provider, what vaccinations are needed for their destination(s).
Education. The University will strive to provide periodic communicable disease orientations to its students/ employees. This education is provided to help students/employees understand both how communicable diseases spread and how to reduce the risk of exposure, as well as to reduce unwarranted fears of contracting a communicable disease. All students/employees will have access to a copy of the communicable disease policy. It will be kept in the University’s Employee Handbook and is also on file in the office of the Vice President of Student Development.
Employee Training. The University will provide training and the necessary equipment to each student/ employee whose duties require contact with blood or other body fluids.
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION GUIDELINES
Definition:
The term “universal precautions” refers to infection control guidelines designed to protect people from diseases spread by blood and certain body fluids. Since we cannot know who may or may not be infected, always assume that all "blood and other body fluids" are infectious for blood-borne diseases such as HBV (Hepatitis B Virus), HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) and HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus).
When do universal precautions apply?
Universal precautions apply when direct contact with any body fluid or tissue is necessary or likely.
Prevention of Exposure.
The following are examples of barriers used for protection against exposure to body fluids.
Gloves and Mask
Protective eyewear when splashing or spraying is likely.
One-way barrier devices for performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Contact the Service Department for a Blood/Pathogen cleanup kit.
How should I clean up blood/body fluids?