Question

Discuss the confidentiality concerns of AIDS patients

Answer 1

All the medical information of AIDS patients is considered as confidential and protected under law. The information may not disclosed based on a general release of medical information specific authorisation of release of HIV related information must be included.

As the HIV testing carries the risk of discrimination if confidentiality is breached, CDC recommended anonymously testing where name reporting is not possible.

One of the exceptions to the general rule of confidentiality is information concerned to HIV infected health workers. In this case US government recommended, tho who perform exposure prone invasive procedure have their cases reviewed by experts which will decide whether they continue to perform or they mist inform patient about their infection. In some cases restrictions in clinical activities are recommended.