Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases include, but are not limited to, measles, influenza, viral hepatitis-A (infectious hepatitis), viral Hepatitis-B (serum hepatitis), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV infection), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), leprosy, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and tuberculosis. Educational pamphlets on HIV infection developed by the Texas Department of Health are available to students at all Health Services locations.

Students with communicable diseases, whether acute or chronic, are subject to the following provisions:

1. The information that a student has a communicable disease shall be confirmed when the student brings the information to the attention of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the student confirms the information when asked. If the university president or designee has reasonable cause to believe that a student has a communicable disease, the student may be asked to submit to a college-funded medical examination (a) to determine whether the student’s physical condition interferes with participation in an educational program or activity, or poses a threat to self or others or (b) a test or medical examination is necessary to manage accidental exposure to blood or other bodily fluids or airborne pathogens (but only when the test or examination is conducted in accordance with the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act (Article 4419(b)-1, Section 902(d) of Vernon’s Annotated Civil Statutes of the State of Texas).
2. The results of such examination shall be kept confidential in accordance with the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act, (Article 4419(b)-1, Vernon’s Annotated Civil Statutes of the State of Texas), except that the president or designee shall be informed of restrictions and necessary accommodations. Health care and safety personnel may also be informed to the extent appropriate if the condition is one that might require emergency treatment.