Issues with elective and emergency surgeries if HIV+?

[TGun]

Just curious if anyone thats been positive for sometime has run into any problems with having surgery at all.  Im getting up in the years and realize that this may be a possibility at some point,, so im wondering houw best to navigate the situation.  Would you elect to NOT disclose?  I know that ethincally this isn't the best choice, although I also understand that sometimes you have everything to lose and they have nothing to really gain by actually knowing your status.... any help would be appreciated.

[Jim Allen]

I've had several fairly minor surgeries over the years, and my HIV status has never been an issue when having surgeries. I have had minor issues when dealing with ignorant nurses in A&E (ER) and on the wards, not with surgeons or the hospital itself.

That's just my own experience, and healthcare rules/policies here might also play a part and be very different in other parts of the world.

I have heard other people having issues, so not saying it does not happen. I can recall hearing from people here and other places about having problems related to elective surgery, but that might differ from having urgent surgery etc.

[bocker3]

I would never NOT disclose to someone who is medically caring for me.  If for no other reason, because it is important that they know what medications you are taking.  There are some sedatives/anesthesia that should not be given if on certain HIV meds.
There may be other points during your care where NOT knowing your status and medications could be dangerous for you too.

Mike

[Loa111]

I have had minor issues when dealing with ignorant nurses in A&E (ER) and on the wards

Has that been in recent years here in Ireland Jim?

Disappointing if there's nurses who are uninformed about this health condition in 2021.

[Jim Allen]

Has that been in recent years here in Ireland Jim?

Disappointing if there's nurses who are uninformed about this health condition in 2021.

Yeah, pretty recent.

Although the only nurse incident that still bugs me somewhat was from a while back, some 5 years ago +-. Two nurses refused to take my blood in A&E.  The majority of nurses are great, though, in their defence.

(OP. Sorry for the Hijack)

[mikejh]

Have had several surgeries and minor procedures for pain relief and are always upfront with my status, have never been treated differently. A few of my physicians actually don’t mention my status in their reports and when I asked why it was not there they said that as long as they know nobody else that don’t treat me need to know.

[mikejh]

Have had several surgeries and minor procedures for pain relief and are always upfront with my status, have never been treated differently. A few of my physicians actually don’t mention my status in their reports and when I asked why it was not there they said that as long as they know nobody else that don’t treat me need to know.

[harleymc]

My last surgery was 1986 or 87.  I was the first surgical case in that hospital of someone known to have HIV.  The poor surgeon was instructed to wear a a 'spacesuit'.

He got the policy changed after that surgery as the fogging up of the faceshield didn't allow him to see what he was doing.

I went back daily to get packing of the wound changed. No hassle from the nurses.

[wardp]

I'm planning double jaw surgery with genioplasty for my Obstuctive sleep apnea and narrow airway i always disclose because of ARV interactions with other meds etc