Should we identify all HIV+ People To protect Ourselves?

People should have a right to say whether they wish to be open about it.

I didn't feel a need to see a video to answer the question. I believe that most people with HIV are very concerned about not spreading the virus to others. The point is that those who are conscientious are not a danger to anyone. The more questions I read on this site, the more I realize how people seem to be NOT getting tested for HIV. People keep asking how they can find out without being tested. I think this shows that many people are already afraid that they will be watched very closely, if they DO test positive. Imagine, that people WERE to be put on web site lists with their picture, address, age, etc.............somewhat as pedophiles are now. Then, who would take the risk of being tested? The less testing that is done, the more the Virus will spread amongst people who really don't know if they have it or not! The use of meth has continued to increase. Using meth or other drugs is a sure way to get exposed to HIV. There are so many people who are very ill with HIV, trying hard to make a living.........working, living, just as you and I do. They have to work a lot harder, just to make it through the day, once they are symptomatic. When the world can stop thinking of people with HIV as being a total threat to each of us, we can begin to be more understanding of what people are going through, just to get through the day. I am around people with HIV and AIDS on a daily basis. I don't have either one. I take normal precautions.

First off, we ALL have a right to privacy. Even people who are HIV positive have that right.

I believe HIV/AIDS should be a "need to know" disease. If you have no reason to know if someone is HIV positive, then they are under no obligation to tell you. It's none of your business anyway. Now, if you engage in risky behavior with a person who HIV positive, then yes, you would have a valid reason to know.

As a healthcare worker, I have dealt with many people who are/were HIV positive (I say "were" because some of these people have undoubtedly passed on). The only times I was ever aware of their status was if I had had a body fluid exposure (such as accidentally sticking myself with a dirty needle...it has happened a few times).

When it comes to sexual contact, I will not place my own sexual and physical health on someone else's shoulders. It's MY responsibility and one that I face head on.

We all deserve some measure of privacy. It's something it seems we have so little left of. We should all respect that. So...in answer to your question...no...or yes, ONLY if you have a reason to need to know.

EMT

I understand your belief in privacy. We all deserve our share of rights and privacy. However, there are some vengeful and uncaring people out there that are having unprotected sex with someone who trusts & loves them and that is completely unaware that the person they're having intercourse with is HIV positive.

I know it's not fair for everyone to be noticed for having the disease due to a few rotten apple's, but it is also not fair for people to be spreading the disease because they don't care about the one they're having sex with, they're mad at the world for having HIV, they're spreading it to someone else because they don't know they have it cause someone gave it to them that didn't say they had HIV... I mean it's a never ending cycle.

I think it's a good idea to identivy HIV positive people to protect the entire human body, so we're aware of who has it and who doesn't, and to rid from a possible HIV epidemic. Here's an idea for you:

Just think if a man has HIV, he has unprotected sex with 5 different women without telling them that he has it (or possibly he doesn't know he has it), within the past two years, they now all have HIV, some have become pregnant and could possibly pass it to their child, are now passing it on to their loved ones because they're unaware that they have it, and it goes on and on in a circle.

It may be upsetting for those with the disease but it should be mandatory because it is neccesary.

I believe that a person's health status is a matter of privacy, and that their information should not be involuntarily posted or made public. The idea alone is scary, as it has many implications, for people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as the future of our liberties as Americans.

I also strongly belive that a person who has HIV/AIDS should do several things:

1. Always use a condom

2. Always disclose your their status, if they are going to have sex with someone.

I don't need to look at your vid; I agree with you - to a point. People who knowingly expose others to HIV are no different than people who stick a gun in your face: they're criminals. THOSE people should be publicly identified. Merely having HIV is not enough, but in the case of those who behave as I've described, they've forfeited their right to privacy.

Hate is FEAR...........False Evidence Appearing Real. No matter how we feel towards everyone, we all will go when it is our time to go and if it is not, we shall prevail in some of the most adverse conditions regardless. I see your point quite well but I still don't understand why we all have to find reasons to hate each other...........its so primitive and barbaric! Ive worked and loved some wonderful people with AIDS and I never had a fear of it in the least. Remember what I said about fear. I never felt the need to know if they had it or not, they freely shared that information with me. It still mattered to me not.