Staying Healthy at SchoolStaying Healthy at School

Communicable Disease and Communicable Disease and Infection ControlInfection Control

Steps Needed for Spread of GermsSteps Needed for Spread of Germs

ExcretionExcretion: germ comes: germ comes

out of infected personout of infected person

TransferTransfer: germ is passed to well : germ is passed to well personperson

InoculationInoculation: germ reaches : germ reaches susceptible site in well personsusceptible site in well person

How to Stop Germ SpreadHow to Stop Germ Spread

MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURE: Frequent MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURE: Frequent hand washing!!!!! hand washing!!!!!

Soap and water – ideally Soap and water – ideally

for 15-20 secondsfor 15-20 seconds

If no water If no water and no visible and no visible contamination on hands - 60% contamination on hands - 60% alcohol-based sanitizersalcohol-based sanitizers

Stopping the SpreadStopping the Spread

Set an example for students:Set an example for students:

Respiratory etiquette--cover Respiratory etiquette--cover cough or sneeze with cough or sneeze with tissue, discard, wash hands. tissue, discard, wash hands.

If no tissue, sneeze into arm!If no tissue, sneeze into arm!

Limit hand contact with eyes, mouth, Limit hand contact with eyes, mouth, and nose (prevent inoculation!)and nose (prevent inoculation!)

Stopping the SpreadStopping the Spread Do not share food or drinks Do not share food or drinks

Do not share personal Do not share personal products (products (makeup, combs, towelsmakeup, combs, towels))

Good nutrition and adequate sleep Good nutrition and adequate sleep boost the immune systemboost the immune system

Exclusion of visibly ill persons -- fever Exclusion of visibly ill persons -- fever or other signs of illness or other signs of illness

Additional Control MeasuresAdditional Control Measures

Immunizations – annual flu shot, Immunizations – annual flu shot, keep other vaccines up-to-date.keep other vaccines up-to-date.

Recommended adult vaccines: Tdap, Recommended adult vaccines: Tdap, Hepatitis A & B, Meningococcal, Hepatitis A & B, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, MMR, & Zoster Pneumococcal, MMR, & Zoster (check PCP)(check PCP)

At-Risk GroupsAt-Risk Groups

Certain people are at higherCertain people are at higher

risk for catching germs or risk for catching germs or

complications from infections. complications from infections.

Consult with PCP for advice: (e.g., Consult with PCP for advice: (e.g., persons of child-bearing age / persons of child-bearing age / pregnant, with cancer, or with pregnant, with cancer, or with conditions affecting the immune conditions affecting the immune system).system).

NotificationNotification

Privacy laws limit information shared with Privacy laws limit information shared with schools schools

Cannot assume that we will know that a Cannot assume that we will know that a child has a certain conditionchild has a certain condition

Assume all children are contagiousAssume all children are contagious

Some people may want blood tests to Some people may want blood tests to verify immunity for childhood diseases verify immunity for childhood diseases (e.g., pregnant women)(e.g., pregnant women)

Cleaning the EnvironmentCleaning the Environment

Buildings are Buildings are regularly regularly cleaned and cleaned and disinfecteddisinfected

Additional disinfection beyond routine Additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning not recommended.cleaning not recommended.

Germs are generally Germs are generally on peopleon people (impact of (impact of environment is low) environment is low) SO practice excellent SO practice excellent hand hygiene!hand hygiene!

Notify BSW if soap dispensers in rest Notify BSW if soap dispensers in rest rooms are empty.rooms are empty.

Is it Influenza or a Cold?Is it Influenza or a Cold?Symptoms Cold Flu

Fever Rare Usually; high; last 3-4 days

Headache Rare Common

General Aches, Pains

Slight Usual; often severe

Fatigue, Weakness Sometimes Usual; can last up to 2 -3 weeks

Extreme Exhaustion

Never Usual; at the start

Stuffy nose/sneezing

Common Sometimes

Sore Throat Common Sometimes

Chest Discomfort, Cough

Mild to moderate; hacking cough

Common; can become severe

Protect Yourself from Influenza!Protect Yourself from Influenza!

Prevention is KeyPrevention is Key!! Practice good hygienePractice good hygiene: wash your : wash your

hands with soap and waterhands with soap and water Cover your mouth and noseCover your mouth and nose: with : with

a tissue when you sneeze or cough, a tissue when you sneeze or cough, or do it in your sleeveor do it in your sleeve

Stay home if you are sickStay home if you are sick with flu- with flu- like symptoms.like symptoms.

Get your seasonal flu shotGet your seasonal flu shot–look –look for BCPS clinicsfor BCPS clinics!!

ResourcesResources

www.cdc.govwww.cdc.gov

www.baltimorecountymd.gov/healthwww.baltimorecountymd.gov/health

www.bcps.org/offices/sss/healthwww.bcps.org/offices/sss/health

Bloodborne Bloodborne PathogensPathogens

Occupational Safety andOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established Health Administration (OSHA) established

the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.Pathogens Standard.

Designed to protect employees from the Designed to protect employees from the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

BCPS identifies personnel whose job duties BCPS identifies personnel whose job duties may expose them to blood and other may expose them to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).potentially infectious materials (OPIM).

Bloodborne DiseasesBloodborne Diseases

Bloodborne pathogens are Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms carried by microorganisms carried by

blood & other body fluids.blood & other body fluids.

Hepatitis B, C, D and Human Hepatitis B, C, D and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are the Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are the most common of these diseases. most common of these diseases.

HIVHIV

The human The human immunodeficiencimmunodeficiency virus (HIV) y virus (HIV) attacks the attacks the body’s immune body’s immune systemsystem

HBV, HCV, HDVHBV, HCV, HDV

Hepatitis B , C and D viruses cause Hepatitis B , C and D viruses cause an inflammation of the liver that can an inflammation of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis and cancer.lead to cirrhosis and cancer.

Transmission of Transmission of HIV and HBV, HIV and HBV,

HCV, HDVHCV, HDV

Most common routes of transmission Most common routes of transmission include:include:

- Unprotected sexual contact- Unprotected sexual contact

- Intravenous drug use- Intravenous drug use

- Maternal to newborn transmission- Maternal to newborn transmission

Occupational transmission can occurOccupational transmission can occur

Blood and OPIMBlood and OPIM

Body fluids that can transmit Body fluids that can transmit bloodborne diseases are blood, body bloodborne diseases are blood, body fluids with visible blood, and other fluids with visible blood, and other body fluids (OPIM) body fluids (OPIM) rarely rarely found in found in the school setting (semen, vaginal, the school setting (semen, vaginal, synovial, cerebrospinal, peritoneal synovial, cerebrospinal, peritoneal fluids).fluids).

Urine, vomit, feces, and saliva Urine, vomit, feces, and saliva are are not not considered infectious for considered infectious for bloodborne diseases.bloodborne diseases.

Exposure Control Exposure Control PlanPlan

OSHA requiredOSHA required

BCPS’ written program outlines BCPS’ written program outlines protective measures that will be protective measures that will be taken to minimize employee taken to minimize employee exposure to blood and OPIM.exposure to blood and OPIM.

Plan is available from the principal or Plan is available from the principal or designee (usually school nurse)designee (usually school nurse)

What is an Exposure??What is an Exposure??

An exposure means a specific contact An exposure means a specific contact between blood and/or OPIM and between blood and/or OPIM and mucous membranes (eye, nose, mucous membranes (eye, nose, mouth) or non-intact skin.mouth) or non-intact skin.

Examples of ExposuresExamples of Exposures

Bite that breaks skinBite that breaks skin

Blood or OPIM enters Blood or OPIM enters body via:body via:

- Cuts or abrasions- Cuts or abrasions

- Puncture wounds- Puncture wounds

- Splash into the mouth, - Splash into the mouth,

eyes, or noseeyes, or nose

- Non-intact skin- Non-intact skin

Universal PrecautionsUniversal Precautions

All human blood and OPIM are All human blood and OPIM are considered infectious regardless of the considered infectious regardless of the perceived status of the source perceived status of the source individual.individual.

This method of infection control This method of infection control originated to reduce employees risk of originated to reduce employees risk of exposure to bloodborne diseasesexposure to bloodborne diseases

PreventionPrevention

Guidelines to protect employees Guidelines to protect employees from exposure to all human from exposure to all human blood and OPIM include:blood and OPIM include:

- - Work practice controls Work practice controls

- - Personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment

- - Engineering controlsEngineering controls

- - Hepatitis vaccine for identifiedHepatitis vaccine for identified

employeesemployees

More PreventionMore Prevention

- Promote self care for injuries.- Promote self care for injuries.

- Refer all injuries to school nurse.- Refer all injuries to school nurse.

- Report possible exposures to - Report possible exposures to school nurse or supervisor.school nurse or supervisor.

- Call building service worker to clean up - Call building service worker to clean up blood or body fluids.blood or body fluids.

- Instruct students not to touch anyone’s- Instruct students not to touch anyone’s blood and to get an adult if blood isblood and to get an adult if blood is present.present.

Hand Hand washing !!!washing !!!

Wash hands with running water and soap Wash hands with running water and soap after using the restroom, contact with after using the restroom, contact with body secretions, handling soiled linen and body secretions, handling soiled linen and equipment, and before & after eating. equipment, and before & after eating.

Always wash hands before and after Always wash hands before and after glove removalglove removal

Disposal of WasteDisposal of Waste Contaminated waste will be placed in Contaminated waste will be placed in

receptacles labeled biohazard. receptacles labeled biohazard.

Puncture resistant biohazard Puncture resistant biohazard containers must be used for the containers must be used for the disposal of all sharpsdisposal of all sharps

Disposal of WasteDisposal of Waste

Soiled clothing should be double Soiled clothing should be double bagged and sent home.bagged and sent home.

BCPS exposure control plan BCPS exposure control plan

designates specific cleaning designates specific cleaning

methods and schedules by methods and schedules by

building service personnel.building service personnel.

Personal Protective Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE)Equipment (PPE)

GlovesGloves - will be worn when contact between - will be worn when contact between

blood/blood/ body fluids & non-intact skin or mucousbody fluids & non-intact skin or mucous membranes is reasonably anticipated.membranes is reasonably anticipated.

- will be worn when handling soiled linen- will be worn when handling soiled linen and contaminated wasteand contaminated waste

- must be changed between tasks and- must be changed between tasks and individuals.individuals.

- are available through the school nurse.- are available through the school nurse.

Hepatitis B VaccineHepatitis B Vaccine

Hepatitis B is preventable with Hepatitis B is preventable with vaccine.vaccine.

Three doses may be given free of Three doses may be given free of charge to employees with reasonably charge to employees with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to anticipated occupational exposure to blood or OPIM (Health Services)blood or OPIM (Health Services)

See school nurse if you think your job See school nurse if you think your job tasks put you at risk of coming in tasks put you at risk of coming in contact with blood or OPIM.contact with blood or OPIM.

Exposure Incident Exposure Incident ManagementManagement

Immediate First Aid – if you think you have Immediate First Aid – if you think you have an exposure. Wash area with soap and an exposure. Wash area with soap and water ASAPwater ASAP

- Flush mucous membrane areas with water- Flush mucous membrane areas with water

- Report to health suite or supervisor.- Report to health suite or supervisor.

BCPS will provide post exposure evaluation BCPS will provide post exposure evaluation and follow-up through approved centers.and follow-up through approved centers.