Importance of HIV Disclosure

It is important that HIV-positive people disclose their status to people with whom they are going to have sex so that these people can make informed decisions about protecting their own health. People with HIV may also find it helpful in dealing with the stress of diagnosis and chronic illness to share their status with others.

Sex Partners

• HIV-positive people should always disclose their status to sex partners before sexual activity occurs so that these individuals can know about potential health risks and protect themselves appropriately, such as through the use of condoms.

HIV and the Law

• People with HIV who fail to disclose their HIV status to partners and/or fail to use protection during sex may face criminal penalties, depending on where they live, according to Brad Sears of the AIDS Project Los Angeles.

Sharing

• It can be difficult to cope with being diagnosed with HIV or living with the chronic nature of HIV disease. HIV-positive people who share their status and their feelings surrounding their illness with others, including friends, family or the members of a support group, may find strength in this support base.

The Workplace

• The Americans with Disabilities Act makes it illegal to discriminate in employment against people based on their HIV status. It is illegal for an employer to fire someone for disclosing her HIV status, and it is not necessary to disclose one's HIV status to one's employer.

Insurance

• If you use your insurance coverage to pay for the expenses of an HIV test, the testing facility may be required to disclose the results to your insurance company. Insurance disclosure procedures vary based on policy and location, but it is not legal to provide false health information to an insurer.