Phone

0402 244 622

Email

btbmac@optusnet.com.au

Infectious Diseases

The aim of this policy is to decrease the risk of exposure to infectious disease whilst training, competing or partaking in a grading or any other event organised by BTB Martial Arts & Fitness Centre.

A number of blood-borne infectious diseases can be transmitted during body contact1 and collision sports. The more serious include Viral Hepatitis and HIV (AIDS) infection.

It is important to remember that the more common diseases, such as the “common cold”, flu and herpes simplex may be spread during body contact sports.

It is strongly recommended that the following people be informed of this policy and adopt its recommendations:

  • Instructors and Officials 
  • Administrators 
  • Athletes and their parents

 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE PREVENTION OF VIRAL HEPATITIS AND HIV (AIDS):

(Taken from a circular from Dr. Jacques Huguet, President of FIBA Medical Council) 

  • Some sports carry a greater risk of contamination than others in so far as there is a greater possibility of blood contact.
    bullet Contact can occur through open and bleeding wounds as well as through abrasive or inflammatory injuries to the skin.
  • In the field of sports one should know that the AIDS virus cannot be transmitted by saliva, sweat, urine, skin contact, handshakes, bath water, swimming pools, showers or toilets.
  • Light washing with detergent or water does not necessarily kill the HIV.
  • HIV can survive in dried blood for up to seven days.
  • The risk of blood on clothing being transmitted to another player is extremely small, but real.
     
    MINIMISING THE RISK OF VIRAL HEPATITIS AND HIV (AIDS) INFECTIONSTransmitted diseases like Viral Hepatitis (eg B and C) and HIV (AIDS) may be extremely debilitating and potentially disastrous for the athletes, the team, and associated personnel. These infections may be spread by direct contact with infected blood and other body fluids onto broken skin or mucous membranes.All open cuts and abrasions must be reported and treated immediately.INSTRUCTORS
  1. Instructors must report all open cuts and abrasions immediately for first aid attention
  2. It is recommended that those who officiate in Karate competitions should consider being vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
  3. All contaminated clothing and/or protective equipment must be replaced prior to the athlete resuming any activity.
  4. If bleeding cannot be controlled and the wound securely covered, the athlete will not be permitted to continue.
  5. However, If bleeding should recur, the above procedures must be repeated.ATHLETES 
  6. It is every athlete’s responsibility to maintain strict personal hygiene at all times, in all activities on and off the mat.
  7. It is recommended that all athletes involved in Martial Art disciplines, and playing under adult rules consider being vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
  8. All participants with prior evidence of these infections are strongly advised to obtain confidential advice and clearance from a doctor prior to participating in any activity provided at BTB Martial Arts & Fitness Centre.DOJO 
  9. It is the responsibility of the Senior Instructor on duty to ensure that the change rooms (including female/male amenities) are clean and tidy. Particular attention should be paid to hand-basins and toilets. Adequate soap, paper hand towels, brooms, waste disposal bins and disinfectants must be available at all times.
  10. The practice of spitting will NOT be permitted.
  11. All clothing, protective equipment or any other equipment and surfaces contaminated by blood must be treated as potentially infectious. Such items must be removed and placed in an appropriate container specific for this purpose which is the responsibility of the athlete.
  12. Contaminated equipment and surfaces must be cleaned immediately as outlined in Blood Rule and Body Fluids Policy (Attachment A), also attached to this policy. ABOUT THIS POLICYThis policy was endorsed on the 11 August 2007. It will be reviewed annually and updated accordingly.______________________________________________________________________

    1 Although activities provided at BTB Martial Arts & Fitness Centre do not involve direct contact there is an inherent danger that contact can occur. The word ‘contact’ is used in the event that injury has occurred due to contact.