This story caught my attention this morning. I'm old enough to remember, when HIV first emerged, and the fear and stigma that followed. Of course, all should reveal his status to sexual partners. The article highlights the ambiguities. More importantly, it highlights the continued stigmatization of HIV positive individuals and the disconnect between the law and medical advances. I want to hear the thoughts of others, before commenting further:
Equestrian Charged with HIV-Related Offense

Wow...talk about a bitter break-up. If the guy is on his meds, isn't the viral load very small, if non-existent? I am not a doctor, so I do not know if he would be able to infect anyone if the meds have the virus under control. I seem to recall Magic Johnson saying he tried to stop the meds, and the virus came roaring back, but was undetectable once he resumed the meds. How in the world could the other man determine that the infection came from Darren? Had the ex ONLY been with Darren? Had the ex only been with Darren, was it always safe or safer sex? It seems as if the ex is trying to smear Darren's name. Lots of questions, few answers.

Looks like a case of "What did Darren Chiacchia know and when did he know it?"

After that it is a matter of the wording of Florida's specific assault and HIV laws.

Whether or not the laws are effective is irrelevant to this case but fundamentally relevant to the health of the population in general.

From there it is a political matter.

A political sidenote might be whether anyone spitting - whether directly on someone or randomly - should be tested for transmissable disease or subject to prosecution regardless of a test.

Should tobacco spitting be banned?

Would a protester spitting on someone accidentally while shouting at them be liable?

Punishment should fit the crime. But we can criminalize anything we don't like or understand. It will be an interesting case to follow. Carrying any contagious disease, no matter how severe, may render one criminal.

Obviously we dont know if they practiced safer sex or not, but I do believe that if you know you are positive and you dont reveal your status you are putting another persons life at risk, and yes I think that is open to prosecution. The basic rule should be to wrap it up, even if a guy says he is negative dont believe him, guys lie. Protect yourself, its your responsibility.

There was actually a recent case in Indiana where a man was arrested for not telling his partners that he was HIV+. It seems that with the medical advancements that someone with HIV can live a full and happy life but they still need to tell their partners. It should be the partners choice of whether they want to risk infecting themselves and not the choice of the person with HIV.


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Vega Sinclair, Medical Insurance Advisor