Legal Documents of Mountain City

For any exposure to a source individual who has AIDS, who is found to be positive for HIV infection, or who refuses testing, the worker should be counseled regarding the risk of infection and evaluated clinically and serologically for evidence of HIV infection as soon as possible after the exposure. The worker should be advised to report and seek medical evaluation for any acute febrile illness that occurs within twelve (12) weeks after the exposure. Such an illness, particularly one characterized by fever, rash, or lymphadenopathy, may be indicative of recent HIV infection.

Following the initial test at the time of exposure, seronegative workers should be retested six (6) weeks, twelve (12) weeks, and six (6) months after exposure to determine whether transmission has occurred. During this follow-up period (especially the first six to twelve (6-12) weeks after exposure) exposed workers should follow the U.S. Public Health Service recommendation for preventing transmission of HIV. These include refraining from blood donations and using appropriate protection during sexual intercourse. During all phases of follow-up, it is vital that worker confidentiality be protected.

If the source individual was tested and found to be seronegative, baseline testing of the exposed worker with follow-up testing twelve (12) weeks later may be performed if desired by the worker or recommended by the health care provider. If the source individual cannot be identified, decisions regarding appropriate follow-up should be individualized. Serologic testing should be made available by the town to all workers who may be concerned they have been infected with HIV through an occupational exposure. (Ord. #1426, April 2015)