7.6.3.4: Ability of Caregivers/Teachers with HIV Infection to Care for Children

HIV-infected adults who do not have open and uncoverable skin lesions, other conditions that would result in contact with their body fluids, or a transmissible infectious disease may care for children in child care programs. However, immunosuppressed adults with HIV infection may be at increased risk of acquiring infectious agents from children and should consult their primary care provider about the safety of continuing to work in child care. All caregivers/teachers, especially caregivers/teachers known to be HIV-infected, should be notified immediately if they may have been exposed to varicella, fifth disease (parvovirus B19), tuberculosis, diarrheal disease, measles, or other infectious diseases through contact with children or other adults in the facility, in order to obtain appropriate therapy (1).

RATIONALE

Based on available data, there is no reason to believe that HIV-infected adults will transmit HIV in the course of their normal child care duties. Therefore, HIV-infected adults who do not: a) have open skin sores that cannot be covered, b) other conditions that would allow contact with their body fluids, or c) a transmissible infectious disease, may care for children in facilities. Immunosuppressed adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may be more likely to acquire infectious agents from children and should consult with their own primary care providers regarding the advisability of their continuing to work in a facility.

COMMENTS

For additional information regarding HIV, consult the current edition of the Red Book from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

3.2.3.4 Prevention of Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids

REFERENCES

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2009. Guidelines for prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected adults and adolescents. MMWR 58 (RR04). http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5804.pdf.