Nursing Case Study: HIV

HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus; this virus can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Accoring to Avert, 2.6 million people became infected with HIV in 2009, there are now an estimated 33.3 million people around the world who are living with HIV. HIV is transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids via sharing contaminated syringes, from infected mother to the child, and sexual contact. Contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, or saliva that is contaminated with HIV, puts an individual at higher risk for contracting HIV. However, HIV cannot be transmitted by touch, coughing, or by bits from insect vectors.

For LaToya to come to terms with her positive HIV status, she must disclose her status via assistance through counseling and support by her loved one. To minimize adverse psychological events such as depression the individual must disclose their status. LaToya must first understand how HIV is acquired. LaToya had activities that put herself at higher risk for contracting the virus. One activity was sexual intercourse with multiple partners. LaToya was charged with solicitation in the past. Another activity is the use of intravenous needles. HIV can be passed on when injecting equipment that has been used by an infected person is then used by someone else.

In longitudinal studies by Vyavaharkar et al. (2011), findings have implications for designing and implementing interventions supporting women with HIV disease in disclosing their HIV status appropriately, particularly to their spouse and children. In the long run, self-disclosure may help decrease depression and improve quality of life among HIV infected women living in limited resource settings. A referreal for a personal coun...

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...tandards for HIV reporting. Although this is commonly the physician, mid-wife or advance practice nurse roles, emphasizing on the healthcare provider that orders the diagnostic test to report the findings.

Works Cited

Avert. AIDS & HIV Information. Retrieved July 18, 2011. http://www.avert.org/hiv.htm

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. April 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/aboutDHAP.htm

Stanhope, M. & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Healthcare in

the Community (7th ed.). St Louis: Mosby

Vyavaharkar, M., Moneyham, L., Corwin, S., Tavakoli, A., Saunders, R., & Annang, L. (2011). HIV-Disclosure, Social Support, and Depression Among HIV-Infected African American Women Living in the Rural Southeastern United States. AIDS Education & Prevention, 23(1), 78-90. doi:10.1521/aeap.2011.23.1.78