HIV and Confidentiality

Introduction

The infection of HIV denotes to the status of a person who qualifies the positive test for HIV that manifested by a double positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, mixed with a positive Western Blot assay test, or a positive test result with an HIV believed steadfast by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Michigan Department of Community Health, p 1). HIV is a virus that assaults the immune system of the human body that mainly protects the body against different infections. The current research proposes that around 70 to 90% people can experience the symptoms of infection. There are three main symptoms of HIV: rash, fever and severe sore throat. It is significant to know that there are strict regulations and laws in place to assure the confidentiality of medical history. Confidentiality is a serious concern in medical field as it can only be revealed in exceptional circumstances, because no one is allowed to check someone's medical records. The governing laws of confidentiality regarding HIV records are very firm in United States. Moreover, the clinic of HIV has strict policies for ensuring patients that their records highly meet the standards of confidentiality. Confidentiality means that personal information is keeping safer and no one could know about the medical details without patient's consent. It should be noticed that there are some limitation to confidentiality as healthcare workers and doctors can share the case for patient's personal care but on certain extent. This communication can be done through writing letters or emailing with practitioners about the patient's care. It does not mean that doctors or other medical care officers are allowed to speak about the problem in open public areas or corridors of the hospital. The exchange of HIV information should be bounded and that would be only for the best care of the patient.

Discussion Analysis

In the early days of 1988, a case came in front two doctors are the victim of HIV infection but they kept confidential. Anonymous health authority employee forwarded this information to some newspaper reporter. The newspaper was willing to print an article for describing and concerning the conditions of doctors. On that time, the health authority attempted a court order for forbidding the newspaper from printing this information or disclosing through other mediums. The higher authorities of court noticed that people have interest in these kinds of disclosures and also media is active to ...