Disclosure
The word disclosure is often used to describe the act of telling or sharing information about HIV infection. Your HIV status is personal information and it is up to you to decide whether you want to tell others about it.
For many people living with HIV, whether or not to tell other people about their HIV infection, and how to do so, can be a cause for much anxiety. Especially immediately after the diagnosis, this can be a very troubling issue. Talking about your HIV status and your feelings with a person such as a partner, close friend or family member can be very helpful. Friends and family members can be a good source of support. Talking to someone you trust can help you deal with your thoughts and feelings.
It is up to you to decide who you tell, and you should never feel pressured to do so.
Unfortunately, in many communities there is a stigma associated with HIV. It may be that some of the people you know do not understand what it means to live with HIV today. They may not understand how HIV is transmitted, or they may be afraid or judgmental. This means that you may get negative reactions.
Many people living with HIV have found it helpful to talk to either a professional or another Person living with HIV before disclosing their HIV status to their loved ones. If you want to tell family members and friends about HIV but find it difficult, talking to a professional or another Person living with HIV can help. You can contact Positiiviset ry HivFinland for discussion support.
Positiiviset ry HivFinland will provide you with help and discussion support for questions related to talking about HIV. You can find our contact information here.
What does the law say about disclosure?
Finnish law has long required people to tell their sexual partners if they are infected with HIV. Failure to disclose used to also have the possibility of criminal consequences. In 2021, a much-awaited change was made to the law. According to a preliminary ruling by the Supreme Court in September 2021, it can be presumed that a person living with HIV on medication does not have to disclose the matter to their sexual partner if the treatment is effective and the viral load is below the measurement threshold (less than 200 copies/ml).
Finnish law divides infectious diseases into generally hazardous, monitored and other infectious diseases, some of which require regular monitoring due to the risk of disease or the risk of epidemics they pose to the population. HIV infection is an infectious disease subject to monitoring. For example, when dealing with non-HIV-related matters at an occupational health centre, you can decide whether or not you want to disclose your HIV infection. To get the best possible treatment, it’s recommended to tell healthcare professionals about HIV infections. It is also worth considering possible interactions between different types of medication if you are prescribed other medication.