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Infection Control-Related Administrative Policies and Work Restrictions

Course Number: 473

OHCP Exposed to or Infected with Influenza, Streptococcus, Meningococcus, and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Influenza, streptococcus, meningococcus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are spread from person-to-person primarily via airborne droplets generated by an infected person during talking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing; contact with respiratory secretions; and less frequently by contact with freshly contaminated articles and environmental surfaces.52-55 In oral healthcare settings, administrative policies and work restrictions are primarily predicated on the mode of transmission of these pathogens and the period of infectivity of exposed or infected OHCP (Table 9).1,2

Table 9. Work Restrictions: Influenza, Streptococcus, Meningococcus, and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.1,2

Infectious StateRestrictions
Influenza
  • OHCP with acute infection and fever
  • Restrict from the care of high-risk patients
    • Until acute symptoms resolve
Group A
streptococci
  • OHCP with acute infection
  • Exclude from duty
    • Until 24 hours after start of effective therapy
Meningococcus
  • OHCP with acute infection
  • Exclude from duty
    • Until 24 hours after start of effective therapy
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST)-positive OHCP
  • No Restrictions
  • OHCP with acute infection
  • Exclude from duty
    • Until proven non-infectious