How might it affect them? The outside world ·
Work
In the past, having HIV often meant that people stopped work and signed on long-term sick. With the advances in HIV treatment, there is much less reason for this to happen (at least for reasons to do with HIV). Most people who are diagnosed with HIV now carry on working. Except in a few heath-related professions, there is no obligation to tell an employer that they are HIV positive. In order to ensure your legal protection from discrimination, however, your employer needs to know your HIV status.
HIV can impact on someone’s working life when they need time off for hospital appointments or during periods of ill health. If someone is on HIV medication, they can feel sick while getting used to it. Taking medication discreetly may be problematic too.
So it’s sometimes helpful for at least someone (maybe someone from occupational or student health) to know. However, it is entirely up your friend or relative to make that decision.
There are benefits and financial assistance available for people living with HIV – see Links.
Stigma and discrimination
Unfortunately there is still a lot of stigma, ignorance and discrimination associated with HIV, and it’s possible that the person you know will experience this at some point. Examples include verbal abuse, being dismissed from work, and so on. People with HIV are protected by disability discrimination legislation, but it can still be distressing for someone living with HIV to experience negative attitudes and prejudice.
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