Blog 6

This past week I got my first HIV test and I must say it was exactly how I thought it would be. I knew that I would have to go in the clinic and fill out this confidential report regarding my sex life and whether if I’ve been tested before. I felt confident, though, that my test would turn out negative. Before I got tested using Orasure, I was asked very personal questions in regards to my sex life that I felt uncomfortable answering them. I’m sure you all know what I am talking about so I don’t have to give examples in the types of questions I was asked. However, the experience was very good and I like the fact that I went to get tested because I can learn from these experiences and understand how it would feel like for someone who is not as fortunate as me in not being fully confident that they are not infected. When I was tested, I had to put this stick swab thing in my mouth and had to rub my inner cheek a few times and then let it rest there for two minutes. The swab had a funny taste but at least there were lollipops next to me that I could have to get rid of the taste. When I get my results back I will share them with you so that you guys know how my health is.

Did you know?.....
According the district Department of Health in Washington D.C., data released in 2007 showed that female inmates in jails in Washington D.C. have been detected in having high number cases of having HIV (The Body, 2007). This data was released as “part of a summary of its six-month campaign encouraging district residents to be tested for HIV” (The Body, 2007). In a campaign made by the District of health officials and HIV/AIDS advocates, people in the Washington D.C. district were told to get tested and 400,000 people from men, women, and children ranging from ages 14-84 were encouraged to do so (The Body, 2007). According to statistics presented at the Mayor's Task Force on HIV/AIDS, not based on the results that were found from the participants for the campaign but rather those living in the district, 25,000 or more 4% of the population were found to in possibly have HIV (The Body, 2007).

In Canada, “common law has long recognized that health-care professionals owe a duty of confidentiality to their patients, subject to some exceptions” (Confidentiality, 2000). In some provinces, confidentiality is imposed by statue and it is considered a professional misconduct for a health professional to give out personal information about a patient to another person without receiving that patient’s consent except if its “as required or allowed by law (Confidentiality, 2000). However, professional bodies, legislatures and courts have recognized the fact there could be exception when trying to protect the third parties (Confidentiality, 2000). For example, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) do consider it to be unethical to allow physicians’ to disclose to a spouse or sexual partner about their patients condition if the patient is willingly holding back information that could put them at risk (Confidentiality, 2000). Such disclosure may be justified when all the following conditions are met: the partner is at risk of infection with HIV and has no other reasonable means of knowing of the risk; the patient has refused to inform their sexual partner; the patient has refused an offer of assistance by the physician to do so on the patient’s behalf; and the physician has informed the patient of the physician’s intention to disclose the information to the partner (Confidentiality, 2000). However, before disclosing any information, the physician should encourage the patient to either disclose or stop any unsafe behaviors and counseling should be given if all this fails (Confidentiality, 2000). In all other jurisdictions except for Yukon and Prince Edward Island (where physicians are permitted to disclose confidential information for the same reasons given above), “the physician must be guided by existing legislation regarding medical confidentiality and by any common law regarding confidentiality (and permitted or obligatory breaches of confidentiality)” (Confidentiality, 2000).

Confidentiality. (2000). Retrieved on October 14, 2009, from http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Confidentiality.pdf
The Body. (August, 2, 2007). Retrieved on October 14, 2009, from http://www.thebody.com/content/whatis/art42565.html