I am 28. White. A Female. And a former Peace Corps Volunteer. I am HIV Positive. This is my story of how a few months, a few people, and a few events in Zambia changed me and my life forever. This is the story of how I contracted HIV and brought my Peace Corps Journey to a crashing halt... and how I am working now to pick up and put back together the pieces of my life as a newly diagnosed person living with HIV. This was not the journey I had originally planned... my path has traumatically and dramatically changed... but it is the one I am on now. There is no going back. There is only forward. I welcome you to follow along with me as I attempt to explore this new life ahead of me, whether you are someone from the Peace Corps community, or someone living with HIV. I welcome your comments, questions, suggestions, and opinions. Let us go forward together. To start from the beginning, click here He Gave Me More Than A Bracelet.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Poll Results: Should a HIV+ person be required to inform their employer of their HIV status?

275 total voters responded to the question:
Should a HIV+ person be required to inform their employer of their HIV status?

17 (6%): Yes.
96 (34%): No.
152 (55%): It depends on the job.
10 (3%): I can't decide.

Thank you all for your responses. And thank you for all of the additional comments left on my post "Jobs. Jobs. Jobs."

As many people (55%) responded "It depends on the job.", I am curious as to which jobs you believe should require a HIV+ person to disclose? Please add your comments here to let me know for which jobs one should disclose their status, and why?

Thanks again!
Posted by at

10 comments:

  1. gbJanuary 28, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    One of the few jobs I can think of is if someone is a soldier in a combat zone, where he/she may be needed in an emergency situation to give blood to help a wounded comrade. But with today's modern war-fare and the use of drones and better evac and medical facilities, I'm not sure if that would even apply anymore.

    Maybe also, if someone was an extreme fighter, like in Fight Club, where a lot of blood is being splattered about, but I would think the fear of dying from a kick blow to the head would be of a much greater concern!

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    1. LivingPositiveJanuary 28, 2012 at 1:15 PM

      hahaha this made me laugh and read it aloud to my friend! Thanks for your coments GB, they are always great! :-)

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    HIV+ soldiers are allowed to deploy, but not to combat zones. There is also no way for them to not disclose their status to at least the military because everyone gets tested upon entry to the military and before and after deployment.

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    1. LivingPositiveJanuary 28, 2012 at 1:40 PM

      Sounds similar to the Peace Corps...

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    2. gbJanuary 28, 2012 at 2:27 PM

      Question, can an HIV+ person still join the military or the Peace Corps? (Which is different from staying in the military if infected while already in -- which has happened to a few of my friends).

      Also, I see voluntary disclosure during an interview process as different than an HIV+ determination from the routine medical screening that would occur when during a Military (or Peace Corps) application process.
      Another question: Do people know of other jobs that would require an HIV test as part of medical screening prior to employment?

      Delete
  3. LivingPositiveJanuary 28, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    GB, as far as I know, HIV+ applicants may be accepted to Peace Corps if they meet certain labaratory requirements (CD4 reliably above 500, undetectable viral load, and on steady treatment regimen- all for at least 1 year), and if a suitable placement can be found for them (i.e. based on available medical facilities, availibity of specific drug regimen, approval of Country Directors, and HIV laws/requirements of the host countries). I do not know how often this has happened though, and in my personal opinion, I don't think it has happened very much.

    As for other situations, I know that parents are required to share their status with adoption agencies during the adoption process, and I think possibly also for Foster Care Parents?

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    1. gbJanuary 28, 2012 at 6:56 PM

      There's one more thing I'm curious about. When you're infected during Peace Corps Service, are the costs associated with infection (viral loads, CD4 counts, and of course meds) covered indefinitely, or only for a set period of time?
      One of the most difficult things associated with HIV infection can be the high financial cost involved, so hopefully the Peace Corps stands behind you and will cover those costs.

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    My thoughts were people who.handle blood or milk at a blood bank or milk bank (if anyone does that). Cops (particularly ones who are more likely to get in bloody situations). My first instinct is someone in the medical field but that is likely ignorance on my part. Really any job where the chance of passing it is greater than average daily life.
    Oh and I guess I should add porn stars and legal prostitutes in Nevada- ha!!

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    1. gbJanuary 29, 2012 at 3:17 PM

      I didn't think of that, but definitely people who work as porn actors!
      But as far as handling other's people blood or milk, I see no reason to inform someone about my own HIV status any more than having my dental hygienist informing me of their HIV status, since I would never have an exposed risk to their blood or bodily fluids.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousOctober 20, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    Military has HIV infection as an automatic disqualifier. I asked around.

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