Upon learning that an athlete tests positive for hepatitis B, what is the recommended step for the athletic trainer regarding other team members?

Upon learning that an athlete tests positive for hepatitis B, what is the recommended step for the athletic trainer regarding other team members?

• A. Ensure the exposed team members have up-to-date Hep B vaccines
• B. Inform team members that the teammate tested positive
• C. Inform the state health department
• D. Do nothing

Answer: (A)

Preventing hepatitis B transmission in athletic settings through vaccination. Hepatitis B is a bloodborne virus, so preventing its spread among teammates hinges on immunity. After learning a teammate tests positive, the most effective next step is to verify that exposed team members are up-to-date on their hepatitis B vaccination and provide the vaccine to those who are not protected. Vaccination offers long-lasting protection and is the primary way to reduce risk for everyone on the team, especially when exposure to blood or bodily fluids could occur during practice or competition. Maintaining current vaccination status also respects privacy—sharing the positive test result with the whole team isn’t necessary and doesn’t improve safety. Informing the state health department isn’t the athletic trainer’s immediate responsibility for protecting teammates, and doing nothing would leave teammates potentially vulnerable to infection.

Preventing hepatitis B transmission in athletic settings through vaccination.

Hepatitis B is a bloodborne virus, so preventing its spread among teammates hinges on immunity. After learning a teammate tests positive, the most effective next step is to verify that exposed team members are up-to-date on their hepatitis B vaccination and provide the vaccine to those who are not protected. Vaccination offers long-lasting protection and is the primary way to reduce risk for everyone on the team, especially when exposure to blood or bodily fluids could occur during practice or competition. Maintaining current vaccination status also respects privacy—sharing the positive test result with the whole team isn’t necessary and doesn’t improve safety.

Informing the state health department isn’t the athletic trainer’s immediate responsibility for protecting teammates, and doing nothing would leave teammates potentially vulnerable to infection.