|Do nurses have the right to know? Oct 7, 1998 I am a nursing
student and I was wondering if there was anything out there
about whether or not I have a right to know in one of my clients
has AIDS/HIV? What is your opinion on the ethical issue on
health care workers knowing or not? | Response from Ms. Breuer
This may surprise you, but I don't have an opinion on the
"ethical issue" in your question, because I don't think there is
one. It's a workplace safety issue instead. You have not only
the right but also the obligation to treat all
blood/semen/vaginal fluid/breast milk as if it is infectious.
Universal precautions are the only protection you can rely on.
Here's why: 1. Most people with HIV don't know it, and couldn't
answer you if you asked. 2. Many are in the window period, and
would test negative if you tested them. 3. Someone in the window
period may test negative, but is more infectious than s/he will
be again for years. A good time to be careful around their
blood! 4. "Knowing" could encourage some he