HIV/AIDS-related Ethical Dilemma of Confidentiality

Abstract

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006) estimates over 1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. with 40,000 new infections reported yearly. Given the pervasiveness of HIV/AIDS, it has become almost inevitable that mental health professionals will come into contact with affected patients. As a result, mental health professionals often face ethical dilemmas specific to this population, such as the knowledge of one’s HIV/AIDS status and unsafe sexual practices. This dilemma is raised when a clinician becomes privy to one’s HIV-positive status, but the partner is not yet informed. Treatment poses complex legal issues as mental health professionals are faced with the uncertainty of reporting potential danger, while facing the ethical issue of confidentiality that is central to the field. In addition, an overview of the screening, progression, and treatment of HIV/AIDS is included.