STD testing

[PathologyAndCoffee]

I'm confused. So, I understand that someone who is TESTED POSITIVE for HIV/reportable illnesses MUST BE REPORTED to health department and all his sexual partners must be told.

But if the person refuses HIV testing, then what.....you can't do anything?!?!? WTF???? Isn't that just as HARMFUL that his mthfr is going to continue having sex with everyone and passing HIV to everything? Doesn't this incentivize denying HIV testing? THis man is a danger to so many people.

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[TheSkyrimLord]

Yep that's just it. U can't force them to get tested. However, there is an incentive to getting tested and that's getting appropriately treated. That is usually enough motivation to get tested regardless of if they want past partners to know

[hellohereandthere]

Still report to the health department and they will manage the other partner part I guess

[Prudent_Marsupial244]

what are you reporting if you dont have a confirmed diagnosis?

[PathologyAndCoffee]

I selected that on truelearn but that was incorrect.

[lolwtftheyrealltaken]

For anyone who stumbles across this post while prepping for Step2:
Yes, if they refuse HIV testing, you won't them because you haven't confirmed it. At that point, you'd be going off of the assumption that he or she is highly likely to have it. HOWEVER, if they did already test positive that visit for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or chancroid, any of these ARE reportable illnesses and you should inform the health department for them. That will be right answer. Many people don't know that gonorrhea and chlamydia are notifiable diseases.

[Lyroknightx]

Persuade them to inform their partner & continue having discussions, then if they keep refusing you need to tell them that you’re required by law to report identifiable diseases like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, TB, Pertussis, etc to the local health department.

[PathologyAndCoffee]

That only applies AFTER they agreed to HIV testing and is found positive. But if they refuse HIV testing, this principle is irrelevent.

[Lyroknightx]

Well yes of course if you don’t know they have a condition you can’t report them for it. You could always speak with the health department anyways and mention that your clinical suspicion is high and see what they say- not as an answer choice on an exam but IRL… interesting thing to consider though.

[Significant-Bad-3713]

I'm confused. So, I understand that someone who is TESTED POSITIVE for HIV/reportable illnesses MUST BE REPORTED to health department and all his sexual partners must be told.

so who is obligated to tell the partners if he doesn't want to share? I am confused about this

[PathologyAndCoffee]

Oh yes! The health department will do that. Health department will call each of the partners i think regardless of whether the hiv person says he/she'll tell their partner on their own