HIV/AIDS

Introduction Is it the responsibility of an infected person to share his/her HIV status before engaging in sexual activities? Having sex is usually an agreement between two parties. Before engaging in unprotected sex, it vital for the parties to know their HIV status and protect themselves from Sexually Transmitted Diseases( STDs) and contracting HIV/AIDS.

Continuation……. The primary reason for discussing this topic is to identify whether the a person who is HIV positive commits a felony or a misdemeanor if they have unprotected sex without sharing there status with their partners. The second reason for choosing on HIV/AIDS topic is to find out how those who suffer from this disease get their treatment and how the HIV stigma being managed to reduce the number of individuals getting infected.

Research Methods During my research, I used quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative method enabled me to explore the reasons why there is HIV stigma from those who are HIV positive. I conducted interviews with those who were infected and got their opinions about the new bill and how to reduce the number of people being infected. Qualitative method enabled me to focus on groups, conducting interviews and observing those who were under medication.

Lesson Learnt A section of lawmakers is suggesting that it is no longer a crime for someone who is aware of the HIV status to expose others in getting the disease through having unprotected sex without sharing his/her condition. The new law will also apply to those who are donating blood who are infected and does not share with the semen bank authorities. The HIV stigma is one of the major obstacles to eliminating the infection and reducing the number of people being infected by the HIV.

Continuation……. Individuals suffering from HIV get discouraged and shadow away from treatment because of being stigmatization and criminalized. Sex workers face the risk of being charged with a felony if they are HIV positive and are soliciting sex from other partners without sharing their status even if they do not engage in sex.

Continuation…….. In the early 1980s, the felony law was used because there was no proper treatment for AIDS. Other people wanted those who have been infected to be put in quarantine.

Continuation…… The invention of the anti-retroviral has enabled those suffering from HIV/AIDS to have an extended life expectancy period. The cost of seeking HIV treatment ranges from$ 2000 to $5000. Life expectancy of HIV patients has increased as a result of using anti-retroviral making the cost of getting treatment to increase.

Reflection Those who are suffering from HIV virus were being discriminated before proper treatment was discovered. My experience is that those who are suffering from HIV virus do not want their status to be know by other people hence the cause of more infection. The research technique I used was helpful because I got the opportunity to interact with people infected with HIV and got their opinion about HIV stigma.

Conclusion The felony law should not be used in discriminating those who are suffering from HIV/AIDS. It should be the responsibility of each and every individual to know the status of their partners before engaging in unprotected sex.