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| 1. |
The Communicable Disease Policy of Southwestern
Community College was developed to ensure
the good health and safety of all students
and employees. |
| 2. |
Communicable disease shall be defined
as an illness due to an infectious agent
or its toxic products which is transmitted
directly or indirectly to a person from
an infected person or animal through the
agency of an intermediate animal, host or
vector, or through the inanimate environment.
(NC G. S. 130-A-133). Communicable disease
shall include, but not be limited to:
| · |
Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and
AIDS related complex (ARC) |
| · |
Chickenpox |
| · |
Conjunctivitis |
| · |
Hepatitis A, B,
and D |
| · |
Infectious Mononucleosis |
| · |
Influenza
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| · |
Measles |
| · |
Meningitis |
| · |
Positive HIV antibody status |
| · |
Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
| · |
Tuberculosis |
| · |
Whooping Cough |
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| 3. |
Persons who know or who have reason to believe
that they are infected with a communicable
disease have an ethical and legal obligation
to conduct themselves in accordance with such
knowledge in order to protect themselves and
others. Students and employees who have communicable
diseases, whether symptomatic or not, will
be allowed regular classroom and work attendance
in an unrestrictive manner as long as they
are physically able to attend classes, college
activities and /or work and do not pose a
medically proven threat for transmission of
the disease or condition. |
| 4. |
Persons who are infected with a communicable
disease are expected to seek expert medical
advice and are encouraged to advise local
health authorities. Local health authorities
should offer counseling to these persons about
measures which can be taken to prevent the
spread of infection and about ways to protect
their own health. |
| 5. |
Students and employees who know that they
are infected with a communicable disease are
urged to share that information with the appropriate
college administrator. Students should contact
the Dean of Student Services and employees
should contact the President, so the College
may respond appropriately to their needs.
Medical information relating to the communicable
diseases of a student or employee will be
disclosed to responsible college officials
only on a strictly limited need-to-know basis. |
6.
NEW |
Should influenza reach a pandemic
stage, the President shall regularly monitor
the situation by communicating with local
and state health officials and by reviewing
media sources. Should influenza reach a pandemic
level in a county contiguous to Jackson, Macon,
or Swain counties the President will provide
information to students and employees on preventing
the spread of the pandemic flu. Should influenza
reach a pandemic level within the service
area the President, after consulting with
local health officials, may close the College
temporarily if he feels it is in the best
interest of the College and community. Persons
who are infected with the pandemic flu, or
know of someone in the College community who
is, should contact college officials immediately.
Students should contact the Dean of Student
Services and employees should contact the
Human Resources Office. |
| 7. |
No person, group, agency, insurer, employer,
or institution should be provided any medical
information without the prior specific written
consent of a student or employee unless required
by state and/or federal law. Furthermore,
all medical information relating to the communicable
diseases of students and employees will be
kept confidential, according to state and
federal law, including the Family Education
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. |
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