HIV concerns dominate new DV health issues

WESTFALL — School nurse Ellen Orben’s June 15 letter to parents began, “Teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases have increased significantly this past school year... .” Orben provided frightening statistics as well. Maternal and Family Health Services reported : • 25 to 30 positive pregnancy tests; • Over 300 cases of sexually transmitted infections; • The first confirmed case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a Delaware Valley student. The HIV notice came with word that “it is our understanding that this affected student has had sexual relations with multiple Delaware Valley students.” At last Thursday’s board of education meeting, one parent said fears of HIV had immediately spread following the mailing “I’ve had three different people tell me ‘you’ve got to get your kids out of this school’.” Superintendent Dr. Candis Finan said she felt that the letter needed to go out, but that DV has had students with HIV before. Those, she said, were three students who came to the district with the virus, having either been born with it or contracted it “in a variety of ways.” The difference in this case is that infection originated in the district and the student is believed to be sexually active, she said. Whether the student, whose identity is known only to medical authorities, was active before or after being diagnosed with the virus is also unknown. “We will never know if any agency has ever followed up ,” she said. Solicitor Michael Weinstein said that persons with sexually transmitted diseases are required by law to name any sexual partners, so they can be notified . Anyone suffering from HIV infection who knowingly fails to report past sexual activity or notify new potential partners is subject to prosecution, he said. “If that were to happen and someone pressed charges, it would the only way we could ever know this student’s identity,” Weinstein said. Board member John Wroblewski, who is a pharmacist, spoke to the high number of sexually transmitted infections. “More than one infection is often discovered during an exam on a single patient. This doesn’t mean 300 students are infected.” Finan said the district does teach sex education in its health curriculum, but the curriculum is based on abstinence, she said. “There is always room for improvement, but our curriculum will remain,” she said. In a June 25 press release, the newly formed Pike County Youth Coalition said the teen pregnancy news, “indicates what most students already were familiar with as the lack, and even complete absence, of comprehensive and effective sex education,” at DV. Orben recommended several websites for related information: www.cdc.gov ; www. safeteens.org ; www. dsf.health.state.pa.us/ and www.4girls.gov . The board of education meets again at 7 p.m., July 17, at the administration office in Westfall.