Should the fact that individuals have HIV/AIDS be made public? |
I believe the fact that someone has HIV/AIDS should be made public because that would help prevent the spread of the disease.
I believe the fact that an individual has HIV/AIDS should be made public because it is a communicable disease that is fairly easily spread. If others knew that someone had this disease then they would have a lesser chance of getting it and spreading it, due to the fact they knew about it. The only problem I foresee is who and how people access this information. It could be a slippery slope to other diseases, and the information could be used in the wrong way.
Posted by: MycCra2iiI completely agree that people who are infected with aids or HIV should be on a public list, due to it being highly contagious.
AIDS is one of the most contagious diseases that a person can contract. There are really no external signs of having HIV, so it would be very simple to lie about. I believe AIDS is a lot more dangerous than a sex offender, most of which are on a public list themselves.
Posted by: G PittsProtect the innocent.
I believe anyone who is HIV positive should have a tattoo visible only to potential sex partners. It should be a standard and put in the same place on the body on all infected people. This way a potential sexual partner can check that spot for the tattoo. I would be worried that this would discourage people from getting tested, especially sex workers.
Posted by: AnonymousThe fact that someone has AIDS should be made public.
I do believe that the fact that an individual has HIV/AIDS should be made public. It is a life threatening disease. It would prevent a lot of the spreading. It would be convenient to look up a person to see if they have aids. At least you could find out so if they did you would not catch it.
Posted by: barbiegirllAids will kill anyone;
In the days of the Spartan Legion and the Greek Warriors, they had to kill individuals who would be a detriment to society. Today every country houses individuals who suffer from the horrible disease of AIDS. Of course no one wants anybody to suffer, but it happens. AIDS individuals should have to register with a database resembling a sex-offender registry, but of course they're aren't criminal. Law Enforcement should be able to find out if an individual has aids or not so they can put on gloves or something...
Posted by: AnonymousYes
I think it should be made accessible to the public only to help protect innocent people from getting the virus from people that keep it secret. Some people have kept there information to themselves and have spread the virus to many people without any remorse.
Posted by: AnonymousPublic Importance
Unfortunately certain steps must be taken to protect the broader public from the irresponsibility of some, not all, people. Some people have chosen to live in a way that has put themselves at risk for disease; and maybe with out them even being aware of the infection. Some are just selfish and don't care about the welfare of others, they intentionally get involved sexually with people knowing they're infected. So whether we like it or not these unfortunate steps must be taken.
Posted by: AnonymousAvoid spreading it.
Yes, this should be public information. Do you want your life ruined because someone who knows he or she has HIV/AIDS didn't say anything before you had relations with him or her? That is the reason why so many people have it now. Not only should it be public information, but it should also be attempted murder for spreading after knowing you have it. Just my two cents.
Posted by: AnonymousAids status of patients should be made public in order to reduce the transmission of the disease purposely.
I believe that it should be made public because in the past, many Aids patients wanted to make people around them suffer just like they were suffering. Some Aids/ HIV patients purposely have sex with many uninfected people to pass the disease on and in turn, spread the disease out further, extending it to further generations.
Posted by: RMichealIndividuals who have HIV or AIDS should be a matter of public record, because of the serious health risks.
Individuals who have HIV or AIDS should be a matter of public record, because of the serious health risks. A public registry of HIV and AIDS patients would protect the general public from contamination. This policy would also make it easier to prevent predators from spreading this deadly disease. The public's right to know and protect themselves is more important than the individual's right to privacy.
Posted by: jackprague94Yes. It should be public.
I believe this should be made public because of the "secrecy" problem. My husband was with a gay guy sexually for years, and we just found out about his status at the hospital through on overlook on the nurse's part. *she left his chart open*. Thank goodness we are both negative. Turns out when my husband first got with him at the age of 14, nonetheless, the guy already knew his status, but decided having a young boy to play with was more important than the child's health. So, yes. It should be made public. Something this important and life altering should not be in the shadows. If this shouldn't be made public, then sex offenders who have served their time shouldn't be on the registry either.
Posted by: AnonymousProtecting The Innocent
For health safety reasons due to the fact that not all sexual partners/encounters are of an honest nature on one-side. If the one individual with AIDS is seeking revenge upon the other sex for their illness, and setting out to infect others, this reason validates why public lists need availability.
Posted by: AnonymousProtect society
People should have access to this information to protect themselves from the virus. I do not believe that their should be a section in the newspaper dedicated to those who were diagnosed with the virus the week, however I feel that the information should be made ready for those who request the information. For an example if a guy starts dating a girl and he wants to be intimate with her, he can request at a hospital or something to see if she had been diagnosed with hiv or aids. That's is the only information that would be made available. This is not an attack on people who have the virus but to protect society as well. Don't you wish you had this information available to you before poor choices were made? Not that it happens in all cases but in some it does.
Posted by: AnonymousProtect and ensure the safety of others
Patients with HIV deserve confidentiality, but employees often feel a need to inform others at risk of infection. Laws and policies about HIV vary -- by state, facility and even job classification. In order to protect the partners safety, releasing this as PHI (public health information) is very necessary to do.
Posted by: AnonymousHIV should not be kept confidential
HIV can be transmitted through a large amount of blood or body fluids. It is important for the whole school community to know if somebody is HIV positive so that they could prevent themselves from getting sick and keep us and them healthy. In a school community, HIV could be transmitted through bloody noses, sharing blood with friends, and sharing dirty needles while taking drugs or giving shots. If we educate each other on the effects of HIV, we can help stop the spread. For example, if a teacher must go to help a student with a bloody nose, they will know to use universal precautions regardless of whether or not they are HIV positive. However, it would be much simpler if the teacher simply knew if the student was HIV positive or not. The students will also know ways to prevent HIV from spreading to them with knowledge like covering up wounds and not sharing dirty needles.
Posted by: AnonymousKnow who you are working with or feeding you.
If the person is not responsible with their actions people need to know. I am dealing with this at this time. An employee at my waifs work just got arrested for indecent exposure at a hot spot of openly sexually active people. This person then turns around comes to work after the arrest and states I have AIDS and starts using it scare other employees.
Posted by: AnonymousYes it should.
HIV/AIDs is a very serious infection/disease that can potentially lead to death in a very short time if someone does not know they are infected. It is very important that all people are tested even if there blood is being taken for a very different reason and it is very important it become public record. If it were public record, that would eliminate the stress involved with bringing it to the attention of a sexual partner. People should still be required to verbalize it, but if they don't...it should be public record.
Posted by: Anonymousmas
I believe people have a right to know. That doesn't entail discrimination or a furthering of stigma, but aids and hiv kill people. To find out an ex you thought you could trust failed to mention the hooker in reno would be devastating and effect the rest of your natural life.
Posted by: Anonymous
I think that individuals with HIV/AIDS should not have to publicize the fact.
People can be judgmental to people with HIV. Whether we like it or not, some people just do not accept these people into society. According to strict governmental regulations by the ADA act, people have the right to conceal this information. A lot of HIV positive people are discriminated and not hired, shunned, and bullied for their disability. So, they have the right to protect this info to avoid this.
Posted by: AnonymousIt's another health issue, that remains confidential.
HIV/AIDS needs to be disclosed when engaging in sexual activity with another person, however why make it public? It is the responsibility of you, whom is engaging in sex with another individual, to make sure they are clean as well as you. Take responsibility for your own actions. Are you honestly that stupid to take word for someone who admits they are 'clean' without any proof? Furthermore, whether it is herpes, hepatitis C or HIV, it is your responsibility to protect yourself by not making a decision to have safe sex with another person until you both get tested to prove you are both negative. Trust your gut. Not your hormones. People say it will help with sex offenders, whether or not they have a disease or not, they will pursue but don't be dumb enough to end up in that situation in the first place and regardless of their status, they will pursue. And if you choose to be promiscuous, know the facts, get educated in possible consequences and if something goes wrong, you are the only one to blame since you were dumb enough to engage in it in the first place. The only way to make sure, is get tested as well as your partner or random and if not, practice safe sex. Even if you contract a disease while having safe sex with a random, your fault still for trusting a random with your health. You can only blame yourself.
Posted by: warpedsocietyI don't believe that it is fair or right to publicly disclose that someone has HIV/AIDS without their approval.
Legislation has been passed that protects individuals from having their medical information disclosed without their consent. HIV/AIDS is no exception. Disclosing this information publicly not only violates the privacy of those infected but it without a doubt cause cases of discrimination. Most people with this condition are very careful not to spread the disease. Those who are not usually do so through drug use or casual sex. It is the responsibility of non-infected individuals to protect themselves.
Posted by: tae993agNo, individuals HIV/AIDS status should be a private medical fact.
Individuals HIV/AIDS status should be kept private because any medical condition should be something that is confidential between the person and their medical team and insurance unless that person chooses to disclose to others. Just because something is feared doesn't mean that people should have to suffer unduly because of other's fears.
Posted by: SlayClimHIV/AIDS is a private individual health matter, and should not be required to be made public.
HIV/AIDS is not an easily contracted disease. The only way for transmittance is through bodily fluids. For example, if a person with HIV/AIDS were to have an open wound, then the only way another person could contract it is if they had an open wound. So long as the general population is educated on how to deal with bodily fluids and universal precautions, the risk of transmittance is decreased to a point where a person should be able to maintain their privacy.
Posted by: ThickBryan60It's NOBODY's business if a person has HIV/AIDS or not.
An individual's health condition is private. She or he should be in control of whom they share this private information. It would be a violation of a person's civil liberties to make this information public. I have no doubt that, in the United States, this would not be allowed under the Constitution.
Posted by: SpyRobbBecause People Might Fire you Because of it from your Job.
Firing someone from their job is not the only reason, but people that are HIV positive might be discriminated and judged. I don't think that if it was made public people would not be able to be educated about if you touch that person you won't get it. I mean for many, many, years that has been the common way in which countless disease are spread. Whats to stop this one from not getting in peoples heads?
Posted by: AnonymousI believe that individuals who have HIV/AIDS should not have that information made to the public because it poses no general health risk and violates medical privacy as well as deter future patients from seeking medical care due to the publics awareness.
I believe that individuals who have HIV/AIDS should not have that information made to the public because it poses no general health risk and violates medical privacy as well as deter future patients from seeking medical care due to the publics awareness. An individuals right to privacy in regards to their medical history is a notion that the public should not do away with to simply reveal who has AIDS/HIV. The AIDS/HIV disease is not one that is easily passed between individuals so the risk to the general population is low. In addition, individuals who fear they may have AIDS/HIV will not seek out treatment because they fear the repercussions if the public is made aware of their condition.
Posted by: 53r3n3PiersIndividuals deserve privacy with regards to their health as long as that privacy causes no one else harm.
A person with HIV or AIDS should have the right to keep that information private. However, if the infected individual is holding an employment position where there is a possibility (however remote) of infecting customers (for example a tattoo artist) then the information should be made available to anyone that it might affect.
Posted by: Wynn354Why should everyone know?
I see no reason that all people who are HIV positive should have everyone know about it. It cannot be spread through touching or any outward way at all. The only people who need to know would be the person who has the disease, any sexual partners, and the diseased's doctors. The fact that someone is HIV positive can often lead them to be stereotyped. If you don't have a chance to contract the disease, why should you know into another person's private life?
Posted by: jfrankI oppose information such as having HIV/AIDS being made public as health information should be confidential.
Unless the person in question is in a situation where non-disclosure of their HIV/AIDS health status would adversely affect the public (i.e. health care workers, doctors, dentists, teachers, emergency response personnel, etc.) it should not be disclosed. Health information should be confidential, and should remain so unless the person specifically discloses it. There should be no forced public disclosure.
Posted by: barbz129The fact that an individual has HIV/AIDS should be kept private to protect rights.
The fact that an individual has HIV/AIDS should not be made public to protect the individual's privacy and prevent harassment. There will always be a small segment of society that will persecute anyone different than the norm, and the disclosure of those with HIV/AIDS is tantamount to public torture. Should we make public the identity of others with diseases that are a risk to public health such as Herpes and Swine Flu?
Posted by: ThegaXenPeople with HIV should not be required to publicize their condition. They deserve privacy.
The idea of making everyone who has been diagnosed with HIV inform the general public of the diagnosis is just silly. You don't get HIV from having lunch with someone or bumping into someone on the street. People with HIV should make their own decisions with regards to who knows about their condition and who doesn't. They should certainly let any potential sexual partners know about the condition before engaging in intercourse but other than that they should be allowed to keep their entire life private from everyone if they so choose.
Posted by: TwoVicNo, a person's disease status should not be made public, because individuals have a right to privacy.
Publicizing that someone has AIDS could lead to discrimination, hate crimes, and possible ostracism from society. If there is the possibility that people diagnosed with AIDS will be named publicly, many people would choose to not be tested, resulting in a lack of treatment and a greater possibility of spreading it. As with any disease, those with AIDS should be free to choose to whom they wish to divulge this information.
Posted by: TownWettDisclosing the fact that individuals have HIV/AIDS would only create embarrassment or violence in most cases.
It would be a horrendous invasion of privacy if any medical conditions were made public knowledge. If this information were given out it would be extremely cruel and unethical. People who are hateful might take this as a good reason to harm people or refuse to hire them. Having HIV/AIDS is personal; it's not a matter for the government to deal with at all. If an unethical leader hopes to shame homosexuals they will quickly discover that many people are born with AIDS!
Posted by: R4yCherHIV positive patients have privacy rights and their status should not be publicly outed.
Patient-Doctor confidentiality is a legal right. If one's status is made public record, the epidemic is more likely to spiral out of control as more people will be afraid to get tested in the first place. I would much rather someone know whether they are infected and take measures to contain it than have people be too frightened to know the truth and gamble with their lives and the health of people around them.
Posted by: 5h4bbyHaIeyI oppose making it public that individuals have HIV/AIDS, as that is their own personal and private business.
Having HIV/AIDS should not mean that your medical history is known to everyone. Your life should still be just as private as a healthy person's. As long as you are not transmitting the disease to others, then there is no reason that you should have to publicize the fact that you have the disease.
Posted by: TMaciasHIV/AIDS status should not be made public because it is likely to result in unwarranted bias.
The publicizing of one's HIV/AIDS status can, even in this day and age, result in unwarranted bias. There are still the uninformed who believed that the disease can be passed via casual contact and are uninformed about just how healthy a lifestyle an HIV/AIDS sufferer can live with the proper medication. Maintaining the privacy of this interest is in the best interest of the individual.
Posted by: 54IvIaughA health condition such as HIV/AIDS should be a private matter between an individual and his or her health care provider.
HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted through the exchange of blood or body fluids; it cannot be spread through air, water, food or casual contact such as handshake. Accordingly, people who interact with a person who has HIV/AIDS will not "catch" the disease. Also, if infected individuals are required to make their health information public, they could easily become the targets of discrimination in the workplace. HIV/AIDS requires expensive, long-term treatment and I believe most employers would be reluctant to hire anyone with this condition.
Posted by: JereChunkyThis is a private health matter which should not be disclosed to the public.
Guarding privacy in health care is something that is taken very seriously nowadays. A person who has AIDS or is HIV positive has a right to privacy just like anyone else. There is still a great deal of fear about this disease and a lot of misinformation about how you can contract it. Unless there are circumstances which make it necessary to disclose this information, like if the person is injured, this should remain private.
Posted by: PinkMychAn Individual's Privacy Should Be Protected
An individual's HIV status should not be disclosed to the public under any circumstances. Through universal education of the importance of practicing safe first-aid procedures and sexual acts, an individual's privacy can be preserved. It should be the responsibility of the infected person to disclose their status with others on an as-needed basis. This should not be publicized as those infected may be ostracized and isolated due to their status. We must remember that there are other ways of contracting the HIV virus besides unsafe sexual practices. Some are born with the virus if their mother had contracted it. Those who have the HIV virus should not be treated as a second-class citizen merely because of the status of their health. To prevent this, we should allow them full disclosure of their status as they see fit instead of parading it around publicly. To prevent the spread of the disease, education among high-risk professions and/or high-risk individuals is key. By educating the public, we can prevent the spread of all bloodbourne pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases.
Posted by: AnonymousHaving HIV/AIDS is a medical condition that should remain confidential.
There are countless viruses and illnesses that are contagious. However, they are not made public. A person's medical background is confidential information. HIV and AIDS is no different from any other virus. There is no reason why anyone needs to know this information. If medical information were made available publicly, there would be numerous ramifications, including discrimination.
Posted by: VasilBuddyno
people have many diseases, the only differnce is that this has become a disease for societies undesireables, mainly the "coloreds and the gays". having this become public knowledge would likiely inspire 'righteous' violence against those who may carry the virus, unfortunately this has been seen throughout history. why not make a public list of people who are suffering from all contageous diseases, so as to prevent transmission, because it its indeed a matter of public health.
Posted by: AnonymousAll individuals have the right to keep their health information private.
Deciding whether or not to disclose one's medical condition is a difficult choice, and everyone must be allowed to make it on their own. In many areas, someone could be ostracized for revealing that they have HIV/AIDS, and there is no compelling public interest to force them to do so.
Posted by: BrokenMarvin34There is Always Universal Precautions, that People should do.
When you test for aids, and you are hiv positive, it should be a personal choice, especially in schools. Where the chances of receiving are very minimal. This is a universal debate, but at least in America there is the bill of rights protecting the patent's right to tell another person.
Posted by: Anonymous