Human immunodeficiency virus and other blood-borne viral pathogens in the athletic setting

Because athletes and the staff of athletic programs can be exposed to blood during athletic activity, they have a very small risk of becoming infected with human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus . This statement, which updates a previous position statement of the Americ an Academy of Pediatrics,(1) discusses sports participation for athletes in fected with these pathogens and the precautions needed to reduce the risk o f infection to others in the athletic setting. Each of the recommendations in this statement is dependent upon and intended to be considered with refe rence to the other recommendations in this statement and not in isolation.