Infectious diseases policy

(with particular reference to HIV(AIDS) and Hepatitis B)

It is strongly recommended that all contact and collision sports team physicians, other sports medicine staff, coaches, referees, team managers, administrators, players and their parents be informed of this policy and adopt its commonsense recommendations.

Policy Statement on Infectious Diseases

A number of blood-borne infectious diseases can be transmitted during body contact and collision sports. The more serious include Hepatitis and HIV (AIDS) infections. These diseases may be spread by contact between broken skin or mucous membranes and infected:

• blood
• saliva (not HIV)
• semen and vaginal fluids.

N.B. There is no evidence that sweat/urine and tears will transmit Hepatitis B or HIV.

Players

1. It is the participants responsibility to maintain strict personal hygiene as this is the best method of controlling the spread of these diseases.
2. It is strongly recommended that all participants involved in contact/collision sports and playing under adult rules be vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
3. All participants with prior evidence of these diseases are strongly advised to obtain confidential advice and clearance from a doctor prior to participation.
4. All open cuts and abrasions must be reported and treated immediately.

Team Areas

1. It is the club's responsibility to ensure that the dressing rooms are clean and tidy. Particular attention should be paid to hand-basins, toilets and showers. Adequate soap, paper hand-towel, brooms, refuse disposal bins and disinfectants, must be available at all times.
2. Communal bathing areas (e.g. spas) should be strongly discouraged.
3. The practices of spitting and urinating in team areas must not be permitted.
4. All clothing, equipment and surfaces contaminated by blood must be treated as potentially infectious. Household bleach in a 1:10 solution may be used to wash contaminated areas and white clothing should be soaked in 1:10 solution bleach for 30 minutes before washing. Bleach should be rinsed off after use. Coloured clothing should be soaked in disinfectant for 30 minutes then washed at high temperatures on a long cycle.
5. Sharing of towels, shaving razors, face washers and drink containers must not occur.
6. It is strongly recommended that all personnel working in contact/collision sport team areas should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
7. In all training areas, open cuts and abrasions must be reported to the coach and treated immediately.

Referee and game officials

1. Officials must report all open cuts and abrasions to medical staff at the first available opportunity.
2. It is strongly recommended that those who officiate in body contact and collision sports should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
3. All contaminated clothing and equipment must be replaced prior to the player being allowed to resume play.
4. If bleeding should recur, the above procedures must be repeated.
5. If bleeding cannot be controlled and the wound securely covered, the player must not continue in the game.
6. Those handling bleeding players should wear disposable rubber or plastic gloves. Resuscitation bags or disposable mouth to mouth devices should be available.

Education

There is an obligation upon all relevant sporting organisations to provide suitable information on the associated risk factors and prevention strategies against these diseases. Additional information may be obtained from team doctors or state health departments.

The safe handling of contaminated clothing, equipment and surfaces must be brought to the attention of all players and ancillary staff.

Although Hepatitis B vaccination is usually effective in raising immunity to Hepatitis B, it provides no protection against other blood-borne diseases such as HIV. Vaccination must not result in any relaxation of hygiene standards.

For further information on infectious disease control contact your local GP or State Health Department. If you require further information on this policy contact your State Branch of Sports Medicine Australia.

This document was reproduced in its entirety from the SMA Infectious Diseases Policy, 4th Edition.