HIV, Hepatitis and Sport in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The risk that a player living with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C will transmit the virus to other players during sport is extremely small.

There have been no documented cases of HIV transmission from one athlete to another during participation in a sporting event anywhere in the world, including in the United States.

In Grand Rapids, athletes living with HIV or viral hepatitis can safely participate in sports at schools, clubs, gyms, and community leagues when standard infection control procedures are followed.

Can People With HIV or Hepatitis Play Sports in Grand Rapids?

It is unlawful discrimination under U.S. disability and civil rights laws to exclude a person from a sports team or activity solely because they have HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.

People living with these conditions:

  • Have the right to participate in school, college, club, and professional sport
  • Do not have to disclose their HIV or hepatitis status to coaches, trainers, teammates, or sporting organizations
  • Are entitled to confidentiality and privacy about their health

Grand Rapids schools, colleges, and community clubs are encouraged to follow national and local public health guidance, including policies from the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health, to ensure safe and inclusive participation for all athletes.

Understanding HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C

HIV

  • HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the immune system.
  • If untreated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
  • With modern treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy, active lives and safely play sports in Grand Rapids.

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

  • Hepatitis B and C are viruses that can cause serious liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
  • Both are blood-borne viruses (BBVs).
  • Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine; hepatitis C currently cannot, but it can be cured with modern medications.

How HIV and Hepatitis B Are Spread

HIV and hepatitis B are found in:

  • Blood
  • Semen
  • Vaginal fluids
  • Breast milk (for HIV and hepatitis B)

They can be transmitted:

  • From mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding (especially for hepatitis B)
  • By having condomless anal, vaginal, or oral sex with an infected person
  • By sharing needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment

They are NOT spread by:

  • Casual contact
  • Sweat or saliva
  • Sharing toilets, showers, or spas
  • Hugging, shaking hands, or sharing sports equipment

How Hepatitis C Is Spread

Hepatitis C is spread only through blood-to-blood contact, for example:

  • Sharing needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment (including steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs)
  • Sharing equipment for tattooing, piercing, or cosmetic procedures with unsterile tools

Hepatitis C is not usually sexually transmitted unless blood is present (for example, during rough sex or when there are open sores).

Risk of HIV or Hepatitis Transmission During Sport

To become infected with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C while playing sports, blood or certain body fluids from an infected person would need to enter your bloodstream through:

  • A significant open cut or abrasion on your skin
  • A bleeding wound
  • Mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, inside of the nose)

When standard infection control guidelines are followed, the risk is:

  • Negligible (so small it can be disregarded) for other players, even in contact sports
  • Negligible for first aid officers who follow infection control procedures
  • Zero for coaches, trainers, officials, and spectators who do not have direct exposure to blood

There is no risk of HIV, hepatitis B, or C transmission from:

  • Sweat or saliva
  • Sharing drink bottles or towels (unless visibly contaminated with blood)
  • Casual contact on or off the field

Infection Control in Grand Rapids Sports (“Blood Rule”)

Most Grand Rapids sporting organizations, schools, and gyms follow a “blood rule” or similar infection control policy, consistent with guidance from:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Local health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health

These simple, low‑cost procedures protect everyone from HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other infections.

Before the Game

  • Cover all pre-existing wounds or abrasions with a waterproof dressing.
  • Bring your own:
    • Drink bottle
    • Towel
    • Mouthguard
    • Razors and other personal items
      to reduce any chance of blood-to-blood contact.

If a Player Is Bleeding

Anyone providing first aid should:

  1. Wear protective disposable gloves before touching blood or body fluids.
  2. Stop the bleeding:
    • Apply firm pressure with a clean dressing or bandage.
  3. Dress the wound:
    • Once bleeding is controlled, cover with a sterile, waterproof dressing.
    • Secure with tape or bandage so it stays in place during play.
  4. Remove the player from play:
    • Standard practice is to stop play if necessary and remove the bleeding player.
    • The player should only return once:
      • Bleeding has stopped, and
      • The wound is properly cleaned and covered.

Cleaning Blood Spills

  • Clean any blood on playing surfaces, equipment, or benches promptly.
  • Use:
    • Disposable gloves
    • Detergent and water, and if available, a disinfectant (such as a household bleach solution)
  • Change any blood-stained clothing before the player returns to the game.
  • Dispose of blood-contaminated dressings and gloves in a sealed plastic bag.

If Blood Gets in the Eyes or Mouth

  • Eyes: With eyes open, rinse gently but thoroughly with clean water or normal saline, directing the flow away from the nose.
  • Mouth: Spit out any blood, then rinse the mouth several times with clean water. Do not swallow the rinse water.

Anyone with concerns after a blood exposure should contact a doctor or urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids for advice. In some cases, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV or hepatitis B may be recommended if the exposure is significant and recent.

Protecting Against HIV and Hepatitis Off the Field

Safer Sex

To reduce the risk of HIV, hepatitis B, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs):

  • Use condoms consistently and correctly for anal, vaginal, and oral sex.
  • Use water-based or silicone-based lubricants to reduce friction and tearing.
  • Get regular STI testing, especially if you are sexually active with new or multiple partners.

In Grand Rapids, sexual health services are available through:

  • Your primary care provider (PCP) or family doctor
  • Local health systems (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health clinics

People Who Inject Steroids or Other Drugs

Athletes and gym users who inject:

  • Steroids
  • Performance-enhancing drugs
  • Recreational drugs

are at increased risk for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C if they:

  • Share needles or syringes
  • Share any injecting equipment (swabs, tourniquets, spoons, filters, vials)

To stay safe:

  • Never share needles, syringes, or any injecting equipment.
  • Use new, sterile equipment every time.
  • If you think you may have been exposed, ask your doctor in Grand Rapids for HIV and hepatitis testing.

Hepatitis B Immunization and Sport

You can be immunized against hepatitis B. Vaccination is strongly recommended for:

  • Children and adolescents (often given in childhood)
  • Health and first aid workers
  • People who inject drugs or steroids
  • Sexually active people with multiple partners
  • Athletes and staff involved in contact sports with frequent blood exposure

Even if you are immunized against hepatitis B, you should still follow infection control procedures during sport.

If you are unsure of your hepatitis B vaccination status, ask your:

  • Primary care provider in Grand Rapids
  • Kent County Health Department immunization clinic

Hepatitis C Treatment in Grand Rapids

New, highly effective treatments for hepatitis C can cure more than 95% of people with chronic hepatitis C.

  • Treatment is usually oral tablets taken for 8–12 weeks.
  • Most people experience few side effects.
  • These medications are widely available through primary care and specialists in West Michigan.

If you test positive for hepatitis C:

  • See your GP or liver specialist as soon as possible.
  • Starting treatment early:
    • Improves your long-term health
    • Greatly reduces the risk of onward transmission

HIV Treatment and Prevention in Grand Rapids

HIV Treatment

Simple, effective treatments for HIV are widely available in the United States and in Grand Rapids through:

  • Infectious disease clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and other local systems
  • Primary care providers experienced in HIV care

Modern HIV medications:

  • Reduce the amount of virus in the body to very low levels
  • Protect the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV
  • Prevent transmission of HIV to sexual partners when viral load is undetectable

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)

Almost all people on effective HIV treatment reach what is called an undetectable viral load.

  • Undetectable viral load means the amount of HIV in the blood is so low that standard tests cannot detect it.
  • When a person has an undetectable viral load:
    • There is no risk of HIV transmission through sex.
    • There is no realistic risk of HIV transmission through blood exposure in sport when infection control guidelines are followed.

This concept is known as U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable.

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

For people who do not have HIV but are at higher risk, a daily or event-based medication called PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV by more than 99% when taken as prescribed.

PrEP is suitable for:

  • Men who have sex with men
  • Heterosexual people with HIV-positive partners or multiple partners
  • People who inject drugs and share equipment
  • Others at ongoing risk, as assessed by a healthcare provider

In Grand Rapids, PrEP is available through:

  • Primary care doctors
  • Infectious disease and sexual health clinics
  • Some community health centers and telehealth providers

Local Considerations for Grand Rapids Athletes

Grand Rapids and West Michigan have:

  • Cold winters with ice and snow, increasing the risk of falls, cuts, and abrasions in outdoor sports and winter activities.
  • Indoor sports seasons (basketball, hockey, indoor soccer, wrestling) where close contact is common.
  • A diverse and growing population, including college students and young adults who may be more sexually active or experiment with performance-enhancing drugs.

These factors make it especially important for local teams, schools, and gyms to:

  • Have clear blood and infection control policies
  • Provide gloves and first-aid supplies at all practices and games
  • Offer education about HIV, hepatitis, safer sex, and safe injecting practices
  • Encourage regular checkups with Grand Rapids healthcare providers

Where to Get Help and Information in Grand Rapids

If you are an athlete, coach, parent, or sports trainer in Grand Rapids and have questions about HIV, hepatitis, or infection control in sport, you can contact:

  • Your GP or family doctor
    For HIV/hepatitis testing, vaccination, PrEP, and general advice.
  • Kent County Health Department
    For vaccinations, STI testing, and public health guidance.
  • Local health systems:
    • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
      For infectious disease specialists, liver clinics, and HIV care.
  • School or college health services
    For student athletes needing confidential advice and testing.

Key Points

  • It is unlawful to prevent a person living with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C from participating in sport in Grand Rapids and across Michigan.
  • HIV damages the immune system and can cause AIDS if untreated, but effective treatment allows people to live full, active lives and safely play sports.
  • Hepatitis B and C are liver infections that can cause serious long-term damage; hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine, and hepatitis C can often be cured.
  • The risk of HIV or hepatitis transmission during sport is negligible when standard infection control procedures (“blood rule”) are followed.
  • Simple, effective treatments for HIV are widely available in the United States and West Michigan; most people on treatment have a very low (undetectable) viral load, meaning no risk of sexual transmission (U=U).
  • PrEP is a highly effective medication that can prevent HIV in people at higher risk and is available through Grand Rapids healthcare providers.