Medical Professionals With H.I.V. Keep Their Silence, Fearing Reprisals

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Medical Professionals With H.I.V. Keep Their Silence, Fearing Reprisals

New York Times (12/21/97) P. 41
Fein, Ester B.

Abstract: Despite the decision last week by a Connecticut jury to award $12.2 million to a physician who sued Yale Medical School for failing to train her on proper precautions to prevent on-the- job transmission, many medical professionals with HIV plan to maintain silence about their infections. For the most part, the public remains concerned about HIV transmission from infected practitioners, despite the wealth of information indicating that such infections are highly uncommon given today's measures of disinfection and protection. In fact, researchers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have documented only one case of transmission from doctor to patient in the past 10 years, while 52 cases have been discovered of patients passing HIV to medical workers. Naphtali Offen--head of the Medical Expertise Retention Program--noted: "Even though there is absolutely no medical justification, patients and hospitals by and large reject doctors when they find out they are HIV-positive. Hospital administrators perceive them to be a legal and public relations threat, and patients think it's an unnecessary added risk."

971222
AD972332

Copyright © 1997 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.