HIV Status

For the millions of people who are tested positive for the "HIV" or "Human Immunodeficiency Virus" on a yearly basis, it can be a very difficult decision to make when it comes to disclosing their HIV status.

The primary reason why most people struggle with this issue is their fear of knowing how family, friends, or someone who they may be interested in having an intimate relationship with will react due to the stigma that is still attached to this virus despite the advances which have been made in the education and public awareness of this disease.

If you are an individual that suffers from the HIV virus and find yourself struggling with the issue of disclosing the fact that you have it with others, it is important to know and understand that it is not required. In all actuality, there are very few situations in which you must disclose your HIV status. In most cases, you may elect who you want to inform. 

Prior to sharing this information, it is important to consider how the individual or individuals that you tell will perceive the issue, and react to it. You should consider your decision very carefully as to who you want to tell and be very selective. It is relatively common among people who are uneducated about the HIV virus to be prejudice in one form, fashion, or another.

However, while it is not required in certain situations, when it comes to having sexual relations with someone it is very important that you disclose your HIV status so that you can both take the proper precautions to avoid transmitting this virus to your partner, and in some cases it is required by law.

It is important that you also check the laws in the state in which you reside so that you are aware of any regulations regarding the disclosure of your HIV status because-as an example-in the state of Georgia it is required by law that if you are aware of the fact that you are HIV positive you must disclose this information to anyone prior to having intercourse with them or you are committing a felony.