$Unique_ID{BRK01989} $Pretitle{} $Title{Sports and AIDS Transmission} $Subject{sport Sports AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome transmit transmitted transmitting Transmission infect infecting infection disease diseases contact virus viruses test tests testing positive negative American Academy Pediatrics Canadian Academy Sports Medicine World Health Organization athlete athletes HIV human immunodeficiency sweat sweating contaminate contaminated needle needles wound wounds blood bleed bleeding sex sexual sexually transfuse transfusion transfusions drug drugs abuse abuser abusers law legal illegal compulsory mandate mandated system systems exercise exercises symptom symptoms compete competitive non-contact } $Volume{} $Log{ AIDS is not Spread by Casual Contact*0001004.scf AIDS is Sexually Transmitted*0001005.scf AIDS is Transmitted by Sharing Infected Needles*0001007.scf Who Gets AIDS*0001002.scf} Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Sports and AIDS Transmission ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: I am very proud of my son who has worked long and hard to make a college football team. Though he tells me there is nothing to worry about, I can't help but think about the possibility of his getting the AIDS infection accidentally. When I think of Magic Johnson having to quit for the second time because some of those athletes were reluctant to play with him, I think that it would be possible for my son to get the disease from contact with some other lad's blood that carried the virus. Is this possible? Are there any laws that would stop athletes that test positive from playing? I would be most grateful if you would respond to this question, and I feel that there are a lot of other parents that might share this concern with me. Please help us. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: I am certain that there are many who are concerned with this question, and for whom some information may be helpful. This very question has been considered by a number of most prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine, and the World Health Organization, among others. Each has issued statements based on their review of all the available literature, and all agree that athletes who test positive for the HIV virus should be allowed to compete in all sports. The conclusion is based upon the fact there never have been any reports of transmission of this infection from one competing athlete to another. At least not on the playing field. Let's look at some of the facts that have been established. The virus is not transmitted by sweat. In cases of health workers who have been accidentally stuck by a contaminated needle, only 1 in 250 have shown positive tests after time. While blood transmission is possible, it would mean that both athletes need to have open wounds for there to be a direct blood to blood transmission. While possible, this may be a relatively rare situation. There are no reports of transmission of the infection from athletes to those who render them care on the sidelines. It is likely that this infection is difficult to transmit except in certain specific situations, most often by the sexual route or direct blood transfusion of contaminated blood. Of course, contaminated needles shared by drug abusers is another common pathway. I don't think the law is much help here, but I am not an expert on that subject. It is clear that, at present, it is illegal to prevent an athlete from playing because of a disease, nor is compulsory testing of athletes, or anyone else for that matter, legal. While compulsory testing may not be mandated, athletes can be encouraged to participate in a voluntary program, and should be done whenever an athlete requests it. All of this might change, if future events show that the disease can be transmitted on the playing field. Actually the benefits to the immune system that result from exercise and athletic involvement may be helpful to anyone infected with the virus. Of course once the symptoms of the AIDS disease become apparent, competitive sports become much more difficult and would not be recommended. Recommending non-contact sports to an affected individual is a possible way of preventing any chances of virus transmission. In the final analysis, it must remain an individual decision, unique for each situation that determines whether an infected athlete remains on the field. And it is a personal decision on your part and your son's that will settle the question of whether he will run the very limited risks that may exist on the playing field. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.