Question

In many states, it is not required to disclose if you have HIV as a health care worker. Please review this link for specific laws adopted by states: http://www.hivlawandpolicy.org/states/new- york In NY State, it is voluntary to disclose. Do you think this poses risks to the patients? other health care workers?

Answer 1

HIV has always been a source of misbeliefs and misconceptions among people of different countries. It is not only considered as an event of social stigma but also the level of knowledge and education with regards to the transmission and process of this disease is poor. The awareness or disclosure of the disease status of a health care worker about HIV can make the clients feel insecure and compromised regarding their own health safety.

It can't be judged correctly as in one side disclosing voluntarily about one's diseased state is being truthful to once own profession and it will help to prevent accidental risk of disease transmission among client and health care worker. But this is appreciable only in a healthy environment where this disclosure is taken positively. In areas where you have colleagues and clients who are not well educated or aware about the disease transmission and process, this can create psychological and social issues among the health care worker. The staff who is suffering from the disease will be isolated and also may have to face rejections in many areas of work.

Voluntary disclosure of being HIV positive will never put patients or other health workers at risk. Rather it will help to take preventive measures to maintain the health safety of the clients and their own self. The only draw back behind this act is the unacceptance of the client for which they have the right to make, regarding being care by a health care worker whose is known to be HIV positive. The other disadvantage is that such a disclosure may lead to unhealthy work environment for that particular health care worker who is having HIV psychologically and socially.