The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
Sign up for free e-mail updates!The Body en Espanol
Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.

Ask the Experts about Workplace and Insurance Issues
Recent AnswersAsk a Question

 

How to talk to a teacher with HIV?
Nov 18, 2004

Hi, I am a student and I recently found out that one of my professor's is HIV positive and I cannot get it off my mind. I am fully accepting of it but I want to talk to him about it in some way but I don't want to come across as threatening or nosey. I feel sorry for him and it is now causing me my own stress because I wish I could help him in some way(even though he never openly discusses he has HIV or even that he is gay). Please Help! What can I do or say?

Response from Ms. Breuer

The best thing you can do is treat him normally, as if he were HIV-negative or you didn't know he was HIV positive. I understand the impulse to talk with him about it, but I urge you not to follow that impulse. Unless he told you directly, he was not inviting conversation about it. I do encourage you to talk out your feelings with someone who is HIV-positive, but not the prof. You're his student, not his friend. Be his ally by being a decent human being to him and in conversations about him among other students. That would be a huge contribution.



Terms of Use
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.

Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their messages.

Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.

Copyright notice.