Wednesday, August 12, 2009

How should a teacher deal with HIV/AIDS


How should a teacher deal with HIV/AIDS?
You are a high school teacher. You are aware that you have a student in your class with AIDS. You, personally have NO issues with this, and see the student as "just another student" I mean, we all have health issues, and a right to privacy as far as I am concerned. As far as you know, no students in your class are aware of this. What do you do? Be specific--think it through.
STDs - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
you teach. If the kid has issues that prevent them from doing something in the class, it's the responsibility of the parents to inform the school. the end.
2 :
I wouldn't treat the child any differently than anyone else, nor would I mention the fact that he has AIDS either. I am surprised that even you know, given the HIPPA laws. If you make anything noticeable, or treat him differently, or open your mouth about it, you open yourself to liability. I work in public safety, and we are taught to treat everyone like they have AIDS (universal precautions), but never, ever, mention it to even your coworkers. Put it this way, I can't even tell the paramedics responding that the person has AIDS. If my coworker gets that persons blood on them (in my line of work, it can happen), I still can't tell them, that's how rigid the laws are about it. So, a teacher should never mention it, you open yourself up to liability, wide scale panic among other parents, and to be honest, the unemployment line.
3 :
if u have no issue with it, don't make and issue out of it. if you treat the kid different, the kids will get the hint something is up. and then treat the kid different. do what youre doing, and everyone will be ok. good luck!
4 :
I think that Itsmeagain made a great point in that you should probably treat all students / people as though they may have HIV. So 99% of the time, there is no risk to anyone, and no need for anyone to know anything. Sharing pencils, shaking hands, kissing or whatever do not put students at risk. If a child gets a nosebleed, then you need to be careful to protect the other students, and yourself, because that student just might have a blood-borne illness. Of course, you would be particularly careful if you knew for certain that a child had HIV, but since you don't know which children DON'T have HIV, you need to treat any contact with blood the same way. Of course, the real challenge will be keeping your mouth shut if/when that HIV+ child begins to have sex with other students. Are they using protection? Is the kid being honest about the risks to their boy/girl friend? And I'll admit, that is going to be really tough. It feels as though perhaps the ethical thing to do is to break confidence to protect the other kids. But I'm afraid I have to stick with my guns and say that unless the student told you their HIV status themselves, or the parents have discussed this with you, then you need to keep silent. And even if the child / parents did tell you directly, you need to speak only with them, not with the other students or teachers. Great question.
5 :
I have HIV I also am a qualified teacher and have been for over 30 years. I am now 55. As NO ONE will pass on HIV to anyone in the 'normal' course of interaction in school,college or work I fail to really understand why you have even asked this question? As unless this student wants to tell there fellow students there is NO reasion at all why any other student needs to know!! IS THERE? As a teacher, I say just treat this student as any other - if they are open to you about their HIV to you and need some reassurance on a personal level give it to them - as believe me being HIV positive is no picnic and even if you are on medication you can have symptoms, feel tired and ill a lot of the time and have HIV medication side effects............. so this student may need a bit of empathy. But if they do not confide in you - or the other students What is the problem for you????? Your job is to teach This student's HIV is not 'danger' to you or anyone else . The only way anyone will be at risk of getting HIV from this student is to have sex with this student - which I assume you do not intend to do? If other students do or intend to - I am afraid this is not your business and as a teacher this is outside your jurisdiction . As a teacher you will never know what is really going on in your classes re your students sexuality and what sexual contact they have with each other - You just can not make any assumptions I know it is hard – but 'STOP' and rethink why you have asked this question?? And just teach - that is what you are there for!! That’s what you get paid for - you really can not interfere any further So treat this student just like any other student i.e give reassurance if they ask/request it for their ongoing and chronic health problem But beyond this - they are EXACTLY as any other person you teach at high school



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Posted by HIV/AIDS at 11:15 AM