The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damages the immune system and can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) if untreated. Hepatitis B & C are viruses that can cause serious illness. To become infected with HIV or hepatitis B or C during sport, blood from an infected person needs to enter your bloodstream in large enough quantities.
How HIV and hepatitis B are spread
HIV and hepatitis B are blood borne viruses (BBVs) and are spread in similar ways:
- Unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex (without a condom or dam) with an infected person
- Sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment with an infected person
- From mother to baby during childbirth or breastfeeding.
Hepatitis C is also spread through blood, but is not sexually transmitted unless blood is present.
Hepatitis B carriers
People with hepatitis B can develop mild, unobserved or severe illness. In most people, the infection clears up, leaving a lifetime immunity. However, a small percentage of those infected will become carriers and remain infectious for life.
It is unlikely you will catch HIV or hepatitis B or C during sport
The risk of catching HIV or hepatitis B or C from an infected player is:
- Extremely low for other players
- Nil for social contacts and providers of services
- Low for first aid providers, if infection control procedures are followed.
HIV and hepatitis B or C cannot be caught from:
- Sharing drink bottles
- Shared toilets, showers or spas
- Hugging or shaking hands.
People with a blood borne virus (BBV) cannot be banned from sport
The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act makes it unlawful to fail or refuse to select (in a sporting team), or to exclude from participating in a sporting activity, a person with HIV or hepatitis B or C. People with these viruses are also entitled to keep the fact that they are infected confidential.
Protecting other players and officials
Simple and inexpensive procedures can prevent the spread of BBVs:
- Wear protective gloves when giving first aid to a bleeding player.
- Wipe any blood from the face or limbs of players.
- Bloodstained towels should not be reused. Put bloodstained clothing in a plastic bag for disposal or laundering.
- Players should not be allowed to continue in the game until bleeding has stopped, and the wound is cleaned and covered.
- If there is concern about cross infection, contact a doctor straight away.
All players, coaches, officials and first aid officers should be aware of these infection control guidelines and treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Immunisation is available against hepatitis B
You can be immunised against hepatitis B but not against HIV or hepatitis C. Those responsible for managing on-field injuries should consider hepatitis B immunisation. Infection control procedures should be used even if you are immunised.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Australian Sports Medicine Federation, Victorian branch Tel. (03) 9674 8777
Things to remember
- People infected with blood borne viruses (BBVs) such as HIV or hepatitis B or C cannot be banned from playing sport.
- It is very unlikely that players will catch HIV or hepatitis B or C from an infected player.
- Follow strict infection control guidelines when helping a bleeding player.
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