HIV and AIDS: Case 3
Case Number:
3
Your patient with cryptococcal meningitis eventually agrees to be tested for HIV and her test comes back positive. Due to her opportunistic infection she receives the diagnosis of AIDS.
Should she be reported to the department of public health?
Case Discussion:
AIDS is a currently a reportable diagnosis in all 50 states of the union. Her diagnosis should be reported to the department of public health. Notably, HIV positivity without the diagnosis of AIDS is not reportable in all states. Currently, 30 of 50 states requires reporting of a positive test. It is important to find out the local states laws where you are practicing to know how to approach this problem. (See also Confidentiality.)
Bioethics Topic:
Bioethics Article: