Telling a person: You have AIDS
Keywords:
Physicians, family, Acquired lmmunodeficiency Syndrome, Human immunodeficiency viruses, Counseling,
Abstract
Telling a person "You have AIDS" is a difficult, delicate and very important task. Many care-givers prefer not to reveal the diagnosis at all because of the devastating psychological effects it may have. Others simply announce to the person without prior preparation: "You have AIDS', or "Your serology is positive". Many anecdotal reports exist describing suicide, severe depression, revengeful behaviour, and rapid deterioration of the physical condition of the sick person. It is our impression that such reactions are usually iatrogenic and can be avoided.
Issue
Section
Original Research
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