How Do I Ask a Client About HIV?

Question

Answer

• A client may not wish to disclose HIV status or, they may refer to it as “the virus,” “when I got infected,” etc.
  • DO: Ask about medications: which ones, any side effects, any trouble with medication compliance, if they are followed regularly by an infectious disease doctor, if they know their most recent CD4 count
    • Why is this important?
  • DO NOT: Ask how they were infected

How do I ask about it? You may choose not to ask as you do not need to, or the client may not want to disclose their HIV status. You do need to ask about medications and any side effects. You also want to know their medication compliance. If they are followed regularly by a doctor, they should know their recent CD4 count. As we know, going off of ART can be fatal and have vast effects on someone's health and mortality.

Here are some questions you can ask. "What medications are you on?" "Any trouble with those?" "Are you taking them every day?" "Are you followed regularly by an infectious disease doctor or primary care?" "Do you know your most recent CD4 count?" This is all you need to know. Do not ask how they were infected. It is incredible how many of my patients have said that people like their dentist or a nurse have asked how they got HIV. This is a no-no as it is not anyone's business.

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, HIV Education for Respiratory Therapists, presented by Sara Pullen, PT, DPT, MPH, CHES.