Can I ask a general sexual health question

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

Without people wildly speculating about my sex life? You all know I overshare. I'd probably tell you if I had some sex issue.

A friend and I were having a discussion about STD testing. I have been fortunate not to have an STD despite making some probably stupid decisions in my younger years. But my question is, if you test positive for one, are you legally required to tell previous sexual partners? For some reason I was thinking you are, but maybe that's only HIV? And if so, how far back do you have to disclose?

[pedanticwench]

I'm not aware of any legal requirement to tell past lovers that you've contracted an STD, HIV or anything else.

[MrsAxilla]

No, you're not legally required to tell anyone. Although it is the non-douchey thing to do.

[MrsAxilla]

Sept 12, 2012 17:45:37 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

Do you have to notify the health department? What do they do with the info? Just know that someone around has HIV or chlamydia?

No - patients have no duty (that I'm aware of) to disclose their status to the health department. The health care provider is the mandatory reporter, and even then, I believe it's just general, non-identifying information.

[basilosaurus]

Doesn't this vary by state? Or am I mixing that up with other countries that mandate HIV disclosure? I swear I've heard of a criminal case from someone not disclosing status to partners.

lyss, I think they encourage you to tell prior partners and make it easy to do so (as in, it can be an anonymous call) but it's not mandatory. There are mandatory reports to the CDC, though.

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

Obviously if I were in this situation I would do the non-douchebag thing and tell. I just was curious if there were mandates.

[basilosaurus]

Sept 12, 2012 17:47:39 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Sept 12, 2012 17:45:37 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

Do you have to notify the health department? What do they do with the info? Just know that someone around has HIV or chlamydia?

No - patients have no duty (that I'm aware of) to disclose their status to the health department. The health care provider is the mandatory reporter, and even then, I believe it's just general, non-identifying information.

Yes, this is the case. The provider reports, and it's aggregate data.

In addition to STIs there are many reportable diseases to both the CDC and to various state orgs. Each state has their own list. And there are different ways providers are required to report. It could be in writing, phone call, or just a tally.

[msmerymac]

Sept 12, 2012 17:48:52 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Doesn't this vary by state? Or am I mixing that up with other countries that mandate HIV disclosure? I swear I've heard of a criminal case from someone not disclosing status to partners.

lyss, I think they encourage you to tell prior partners and make it easy to do so (as in, it can be an anonymous call) but it's not mandatory. There are mandatory reports to the CDC, though.

I don't know if you can be prosecuted for not disclosing HIV. I think if someone else can prove you were intentionally infecting people with HIV - like, you decide to go have unprotected sex with 100 people after your diagnosis and are refusing treatment, leading to a higher possibility of the disease being transmitted - then you can be charged with... something. Attempted manslaughter? I don't know.

But I've never heard of someone having a drunken 1 night stand and being charged because he or she didn't disclose their HIV status. It's only the douchers who actually ARE trying to take people down with them.

[livinitup]

No, no law but it is encouraged to call all past partners simply so that past partners can get tested and treatment. Theoretically, you could have been exposed in your first sexual experience. Since so many STDs have no symptoms, it may be the only reason someone seeks treatment. Especially men who, as a group, typically don't get seek non-issue related care by a doctor.

Most communities have free services who will call for you anonymously.

And yes, it is a role and function of health departments to track trends like communicable disease for purposes of allocating resources for the community.

[orangeblossom]

There have been some cases where people were prosecuted for intentionally exposing and infecting their sexual partners.

The person infected is not required to tell their partner, but the health department will likely have a follow-up conversation to determine who else has been exposed and needs to be treated.

Healthcare providers are mandated to report STIs. Some have a immediate call requirement, others have a 24 hour requirement, some it's a week.

A friend of mine works for a local health department doing STI counseling and investigations and you would not believe how many people say "how'd you get my number first rather then when can I come in to get tested/meds, etc". Worry about the how lager, go get yourself straight first.

[MixedBerryJam]

Sept 12, 2012 17:48:52 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Doesn't this vary by state? Or am I mixing that up with other countries that mandate HIV disclosure? I swear I've heard of a criminal case from someone not disclosing status to partners.

lyss, I think they encourage you to tell prior partners and make it easy to do so (as in, it can be an anonymous call) but it's not mandatory. There are mandatory reports to the CDC, though.

It's not the not disclosing that they're being charged with ... it's generally reckless endangerment or assault or something similar involving actual or potential physical harm to the other party.

[Deleted]

In Canada, you can be charged criminally for failure to disclose HIV. I need to google, but I actually think if that person contracts HIV as a result its aggravated sexual assault.

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

Lauriergirl, is it only failure to disclose to future partners or past partners as well?