 
|
 Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue S Minneapolis, MN 55404 Tel: 612-341-2060 Fax: 612-341-4057 info@mnaidsproject.org TTY Metro: 612-373-2465 TTY State: 888-820-2437 Privacy Policy HIV/AIDS Content Notice Site Map Account Login |
Frequently Asked Questions:For Employers | For Employees | HIV 101
For Employers:
I've never had an employee with HIV. Why worry now?More people are living and working with HIV than ever. In fact, 70 percent of new HIV infections in Minnesota involved people ages 25-44. That’s your workforce. Your reality.There is no cure for HIV. But medical treatments are allowing people to stay healthier and on the job longer — or return to work after an illness. There is a real possibility that one of your employees will face HIV. Or, already is.
Why is it important to educate employees?Employees need HIV facts and education. According to a statewide poll:
What do I do if an employees tells me they have HIV?Business sense:The employee who confides in you will likely feel anxious about his or her health and job. You need to show support, compassion and understanding for the individual — as well as be prepared to handle your business’ responsibilities. You’ll find more information about workplace policies as well as workplace employee confidentiality, and disability laws in this brochure.Know more:Most people with HIV are able to function normally and independently. However, they may need some accommodation at work to deal with complex medical treatments, doctor appointments or extreme fatigue. Your support and sensitivity will be important as your employee copes.Do not break your employee’s confidentiality. Let the individual decide if it’s time for accommodation. Let the individual decide if and who to tell at work. And do not single out an employee because of his or her HIV status. FYI:An HIV-positive employee is more susceptible to common infections. Promote all of your employees’ good health including those living with HIV. Encourage annual flu shots and appropriate use of sick leave when employees are “coming down with something” and may be most infectious.Also, be aware that you may have employees whose spouse, partner, family member or close friend is HIV-positive. Let them know they have your support.
How do I decide who else in my workplace should know?Business sense:As an employer, you must keep every employee’s medical information confidential. Disclosure of medical information in the workplace can have serious legal implications. You do not have a duty to warn co-workers of an employee’s HIV status. HIV is not transmitted by contact in normal business activities. Know more:If you disclose an employee’s HIV status without consent, your company could face penalties under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws. With an issue such as HIV, a breach in confidence can set the stage for discriminatory behavior and grounds for legal action.FYI:Be aware: The employee’s supervisor usually does not need to know about his or her HIV diagnosis — only that the employee qualifies for accommodations under the ADA and what those qualifications might be.
Is HIV a disability? What are my legal responsibilities?Business sense:HIV is a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA). These laws prohibit employment discrimination against people with HIV, or against those perceived as having HIV.Know more:The ADA and MHRA prohibit employers from discriminating against a “qualified individual with a disability.” This applies to applications, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training and other conditions of employment. According to both laws, disabled persons should receive the same employment opportunities as anyone else.FYI:Employers must clearly justify the use of any employee standard, criterion or job description that tends to exclude or adversely affect disabled workers.
HIV Issues may be hard to handle where I work. How can I be prepared?Business sense:HIV information in the workplace lessens the chance of discrimination, disruptions and morale problems. You can prepare your business and workforce by developing an HIV workplace policy and adding HIV education to your employee wellness programs and by providing contributions, sponsorship support or volunteer services to address HIV needs in your community.Know More:Having a policy in place before HIV becomes an issue is smart prevention. An HIV workplace policy works to:
HIV employee education helps employees overcome fear and respond with support. Effective training:
FYI:Research shows that people trust HIV information received from their employer over any other source.
For Employees:
As far as I know, I've never worked with anyone with HIV. Why should I be concerned now?Working smart:More people are living and working with HIV in Minnesota than ever. 70 percent of new HIV infections in Minnesota involved people ages 25-44 — the age of the majority of the workforce and period of greatest income potential for most people. The statistics add up to make HIV a workplace concern for you.There is no cure for HIV. But medical treatments now allow people to stay healthier and on the job longer — or return to work after an illness. Chances are, someone you work with or know will face HIV.
Why should I educate myself about HIV?Know more:A lot of people have questions about HIV in the workplace. Lack of basic information increases the risk of unknowingly engaging in unsafe behavior — and discriminating against co-workers with HIV out of fear or misunderstanding.Employees need HIV facts and education. According to a statewide poll:
FYI:National statistics show the serious impact of HIV. New infections continue to be reported at a rate of 40,000 per year in the U.S. Public understanding and education about HIV is not only a problem in Minnesota — it is a nationwide concern.According to a national survey conducted by the University of California, Davis:
Am I at risk of getting HIV at work? How do I protect myself?Working smart:Your chance of being exposed to HIV infection in the workplace is very low. The virus does not spread through casual contact. It is transmitted through blood and body fluids. In fact, HIV cannot survive for long outside the body. It is not transmitted through air, food or water.The real danger is high-risk behavior off the job, such as unprotected sex and sharing needles for drug use. The spread of HIV can only occur if one of the people involved is already infected with HIV. HIV transmission can be prevented by changes in personal behavior. Know more:Healthy, intact skin does not allow HIV to get into the body. The HIV virus must get into your bloodstream for you to become infected. HIV can enter through an open sore or contact with mucous membranes.The highest risk is when HIV comes in contact with the more porous mucous membranes in the the anus, the vagina and the rectum. Transmission is also possible through oral sex — body fluids can enter the bloodstream through cuts in the mouth. FYI:An estimated 2,500 people in Minnesota are living with HIV but do not know they are infected. That means they could be spreading the infection to others without realizing it. In addition, more than 4,600 Minnesotans have already tested positive for HIV, and are alive and well. Most of them are in the workforce.
What if a co-worker gets hurt? Can I get HIV if I assist someone who is injured and bleeding?Working smart:There are many bloodborne diseases other than HIV that you need to protect yourself against. You may not know the health status of the person you are helping — so you face potential risks to giving first aid. Your risk of becoming infected with HIV from touching someone’s blood depends on all these factors:
Know more:Always take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to HIV and bloodborne illnesses when assisting someone. Wear latex gloves or use an impermeable barrier to protect against direct contact with the injured person’s blood. Your unbroken skin will help protect you, too. After giving first aid, thoroughly wash your hands and other skin surfaces that may have been exposed — even if you used gloves or a protective barrier.FYI:The highest risk for workplace exposure and transmission of HIV is in health care occupations. Deep needle sticks and procedures involving large amounts of blood and open wounds can place health care workers at higher risk.
I think a person in my office might have HIV. Should I say anything about it to anyone?Working smart:Working with someone who is HIV-positive is not a threat to your health. You don’t need to worry about getting HIV in everyday working conditions. Nor do you need to alert anyone of your suspicions. In fact, starting rumors or gossiping could lead to legal problems for your employer.It’s normal to feel anxious when someone you work with has HIV. Your co-worker probably feels anxious about how people at work will treat him or her, too. Be sensitive. If your co-worker chooses to disclose his or her HIV status to you, offer your support and understanding. Let your co-worker decide whom to tell about his or her status. Know more:HIV is a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA). Your co-workers with HIV may need some accommodation at work to deal with complex medical treatments, doctor appointments or extreme fatigue.FYI:People with HIV have damaged immune systems — your good health is important to them. Be careful not to expose them to your colds, coughs or infections.
I'm worried that I might have been exposed to HIV; how can I tell for sure?Working smartWorldwide, HIV is rising fastest among young heterosexual people of color. In Minnesota, it is affecting men and women and people of all races. HIV does not care where you live, your gender, race, age or sexual orientation. It’s what you do, not who you are, that puts you at risk.If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, call the MAP AIDSLine (800-248-2437) to find out about HIV testing and sites. The most commonly used test looks for antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are produced by the immune system to fight the virus. It usually takes from a few weeks to about three months for antibodies to show up in your bloodstream — but you can pass the virus to others within days of being infected. Know more:Knowing your status will allow you to make informed self-care decisions. HIV can be effectively managed with earlier diagnosis and treatment options. Treatment cannot get rid of the virus, but it can reduce the amount of virus in a person’s bloodstream. Emerging medical treatments can boost physical strength, slow the progress of illness and delay or prevent life-threatening conditions. Your doctor or specialist will give you guidance. Contact the services listed in this brochure for help and support.FYIEven with advanced drugs, HIV remains a public health concern. There is no cure for HIV. And treatment is often difficult. Though the risk of transmission is lowered, a person undergoing treatment can still spread the virus to someone else — even when the amount of the virus in the patient’s blood is undetectable.
HIV 101
What is HIV disease?What is HIV?Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes HIV. As HIV weakens the body’s immune system, the disease progresses. The advanced stage of HIVis called AIDS. There is no cure for HIV. However, early intervention and advanced medical T-cells:T-cells are the most basic element of the immune system. HIV destroys T-cells. A low T-cell count is a measure of how much damage HIV has done to the immune system. With a low T-cell count, a person is more susceptible to other diseases, some of which can be disabling or life-threatening.Viral load:Viral load is a measure of the virus in the blood. It is an indicator of how much virus is actively attacking T-cells, and a measure of how fast (a high viral load) or how slowly How is HIV transmitted?HIV cannot be transmitted through:
HIV can be transmitted through:
What are the stages of HIV infection?Acute Stage:Within 4-6 weeks after infection symptoms may include:
Very soon after exposure, an infected person can spread the virus, even if they do not have any symptoms. Chronic Stage:May last a few months to ten years or more:
Progressive Stage:May last for several years. May cycle back and forth between chronic and progressive stages. As the immune system deteriorates, a person may experience:
End of LifeWithout treatment, average survival after diagnosis can be between one and two years. People have been known to cycle back to chronic or progressive stages in response to treatment.A person with HIV disease is diagnosed with AIDS after developing one or more conditions, such as:
Who is at risk in Minnesota?
What if I'm looking for additional resources or information?Click here for a complete list of resources available to Minnesota employers and employees.
Last Updated:
Monday, November 12, 2007
Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or materials, please exit this Web site. |
|||
