Disclosing HIV status to doctors

[Charles.M]

Hi been idle for awhile, recently went to a clinic. Four days prior I was installing siding on my house and smashed my pinky finger with the hammer. I was barely swinging the hammer 16 oz while tapping in 6D nails. Crazy I must of hit it just right as it bled and swelled up a lot. I had funny dark streaks on the tip though not terribly painful.

While at the clinic the Doctor wanted to prescribe an antibiotic. My wife voulunteered to my chagrin that I was on Bactrim. The Doctor asked what for and when i did not wish to answer she became agitated. When I told her she became somewhat upset and asked me; "Did I not think she needed to know that?"

I did not think she did actually, since i am UD and was not leeking any fluids. Also its in my chart that she was looking at. As well as 10 mins prior I was being drained by the vampires for my HIV tests (same medical facility).

I worry so much if I do disclose it, that I will be asked to leave or never allowed back. I was initally quite upset with my wife, but stuff happens and she is my angel in life and though this.

Ok so am i required to tell them legally? morally? (CT, USA) Am I just not in tune with the acceptance ( I feel I will be shunned by anyone who knows)?

Have any of you guys had bad experiences and do you always inform medical staff when getting checked for minor nothings

[leatherman]

Am I just not in tune with the acceptance ( I feel I will be shunned by anyone who knows)?

HIV is close to being a 50 year old disease These days due to requirements of the Affordable Health Care Act, discrimination about HIV is uncommon and usually corrected by asking for another staff member to care for you, lodging a complaint with the agency or about the agency, or by legal means. If that same clinic is doing your blood tests, they're probably treating other people with HIV and wouldn't consider your case out of the ordinary.

TBH I think because this is all still fairly new to you and your wife that you were both worrying needlessly. I wouldn't have necessarily told this doctor about my HIV just because I had smashed my finger; but I would have mentioned it when prescribed a medication so that the doctor would prescribe something that wouldn't cause issues with my other meds.

[Jim Allen]

I did not think she did actually, since i am UD and was not leeking any fluids

UD or not makes no difference, you're not having sex with her and leaking fluids changes nothing.

No, need to tell them, no HIV risk to them looking at your finger or touching it...Also, since 1985 they are supposed to practice universal precautions (Standard precautions nowadays) to avoid exposure regardless of the patients claimed status or history when it comes to bbv (blood borne viruses/infections)

Have any of you guys had bad experiences

I live in a backwards nation on many fronts, but rarely have i had bad experiences, it happens, they are only human but 98% of time they have been professional.

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I wouldn't have necessarily told this doctor about my HIV just because I had smashed my finger; but I would have mentioned it when prescribed a medication so that the doctor would prescribe something that wouldn't cause issues with my other meds.
 

Same, it's a hurt finger, no need for them to know, wouldn't have mentioned it unless they are prescribing medication. Any doctor giving out I would have been severely questioning and I have done so in the past, usually it was an emotional or educational issue in their side but I've been living with HIV longer and understand it's really unsettling when you are relatively new to this.

Anyhow, heading to bed, hope the finger heals quickly and you feel better soon. Take it easy.

[harleymc]

All my health care team know I am living with HIV.


Easy decision to make.

[CalvinC]

I'm like harleymc. All my health care providers (even chiro and massage, if the form asks about it) know. Otherwise I'm very private.

Once, when I was seeing a osteo doc (about my fingers), on my second visit I think I had mentioned that the advent of my osteo happened around my testing poz. He said that I hadn't told him, and it seemed to be that he was upset about not knowing more so than any phobia about poz people. I said that I had most certainly told him, and we got into a back and forth of No-you-didn't Yes-I-did until he went to review his intake notes. Never went back.

[Tonny2]

           ojo.          Hello there!… usually all the doctors that I see have to be with the virus, from my ophthalmologist to my immunology and dermatology specialist. My dentist knows although my CProctor dhiroptactodr oesn’t know. And this is because my ID DOCTOR sent a referral to the other doctors and obviously he has to give that diagnosis but like I said, everything has to do with HIV. Unless I’m talking about all the illnesses and conditions that I have had through the years.

After 29 years of living with a JV/AIDS, just my doctors and my family know about my condition. I am a very private person. Well, and all of you. Lol.



Ps. forgive my typos.