An Ethical Issue Concerning HIV Infection

Dear readers, this post is my view in responding the case below:

A partner in your work place has been recently found to have HIV infection. He admits to you that it probably arose from his having unprotected sex with a client. What are some of the implications of this?

Discrimination is the first thing to consider as the biggest problem associated with HIV/AIDS. This is due to the stigma attached to the disease. Public disclosure of the HIV status can bring many negative consequences for the employee. Where disclosure is permitted or required, it should be limited to the information reasonably necessary to meet the required need to know.

The ideal situation would be for the employer to take an objective evaluation of the individual's capability to work. This should also take into account a rational assessment of the risk of infection to others, potential reactions of managers, co-workers, customers or members of the public. In addition, this response would include a commitment to maintain privacy to extent requested by the employee and consistent with company's actual needs, a commitment to maintain full employee benefits, and appropriate workplace educational programs to deal with employee fears. Another implication is related to expenses which might be required as a result of having an HIV infected worker.The long term effect of HIV infection to the individual physical well-being has been proven unpredictable. Therefore it is important to assist the HIV infected worker to have productive employment, to support upon recovery from significant opportunistic infection, and might help provide a psychological support that would be helpful in the recovery process. The role of government in regulating the expenses of maintaining regular health insurance coverage for temporarily disabled HIV infected worker may prevent unnecessary termination of employee status.

It is a difficult situation in relation to the case that happens to occupational health or health care workers. Some countries require health care workers to disclose HIV status to patients before performing exposure-prone procedures. Moreover, health care workers are required by law to disclose their HIV status or the risks that patients would want to know. There are also some cultures strongly support a patient or client's right to know. Patients or clients want to be informed and to make decisions for themselves wether to incur risks.

In my view, the law should not require health care workers to disclose their status because it is an invasion of the confidentiality. It is important to recall that in this case, healthcare workers are also patients who are being treated for a discriminating and stigmatising disease. As a partner in health care practices, I would like to suggest the infected health worker to realise and assess by himself how likely he will put risks to clients or patients. As we know that HIV transmission occurs via blood to blood or mucous contact, it will depend on type of practices or activities he does. Preventive measures to prevent possible transmission must be applied. It is also important to consider the accidental transmission that might happen during his activities. In all, privacy is a major concern in this scenario.
What is your opinion if it happens to you in your work place??