A gentleman in my office announced to us today - that he has an Aids related !? illness... I have to come into contact with him - passing paperwork - using keyboard ..etc..etc.. Would you feel comfortable working with a collegue who has this illness ?
2006-08-25 11:55:56 · 48 answers · asked by ? 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
re: Blood in an Office enviroment... Ever had a Paper Cut ? ..oooohhh!!! sore & Bloody !
2006-08-27 05:04:22 · update #1
No,I wouldn't!
I wouldn't risk to get infected,die and to leave my son an orphan because some people cannot "control" themselves!
It's his problem only,not mine!Sounds selfish, well..yes!I have a family to think about!Not to feel sorry for soemone who f**** around!
2006-08-29 04:40:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Thank you for being open about this.. Too many people are ignorant and refuse to be educated on the subject of HIV/AIDs. The only way to contract the HIV virus is through blood to blood contact, ie both of you have bleeding cuts and hold them together, you have sexual relations. The risk of catch HIV from an exposure is fairly small. The chances that you will get HIV from him using the same keyboard, photocopier, paperwork etc is is probably non-existant. If you are confused or want more info ask him. Be open and make your desire to get past any predjudices clear....
2006-08-25 15:34:41 · answer #2 · answered by htchrist 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good God! Stay away from him! Oh, and while your at it, stay away from gay people, balck people, disabled people and people with a Welsh accent, just in case!
Sorry but your question is either very naive or you ar bigotted. This man has been very brave to be open and honest with his collegues. Unless you intend to have sex with him (maybe you work as a prostitute) or share needles (is he your dealer) I can't see how working with the man could put you at any risk. You would only be at risk if you came into contact with his bodily fluids. Even if you snogged the man for a day you would be fine. It would take a whole bucket of saliva to be at risk so passing a bit of paper is fine. I'm trying not to be angry at you because you can't help your ignorance, but now you know better I suggest you google AIDS and HIV quicksmart and get some accurae information on the subject. And no, sleeping with a virgin dosen't cure aids. Thought I'd let you know before you asked.
2006-08-26 11:13:07 · answer #3 · answered by Cazza 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Honest answer? Yes. Comfortable? Not at all. As much as I know about HIV, It's generally passed only through blood or other body fluid contact. Also You don't need to catch any office heat about discrimination & such. I give the guy credit for telling his co-workers. At least he's thinking of your safety. That said, I don't even like to be arround hosipitals, doctors offices, or kids in general. I've found avoiding such things have kept my sick days to almost nil. I'll work with the guy, but Don't be surprised if I stop using the coffee maker & such. Rather be safe than sorry.
2006-08-25 12:16:16 · answer #4 · answered by lana_sands 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes i would be fine working with him ... it took alot for him to tell his colleagues in the 1st place so why treat him any differently ... or have you been ******* him on the office desk or do you intend to i think you need to go and get some education on aids/HIV as with diseases like this you can not pass it on to someone though paper .... how do you know that the person who wrapped your meat in the supermarket hasn't got the same or the person sitting on the bus next to you or your neighbour ... grow up i thought this kind of ignorant behaviour was long dead ... but there is always some uneducated person out there .... what a sad person you must be.... o and by the way I'm diabetic you better stay away i may take your pancreas
2006-08-27 11:23:13 · answer #5 · answered by carol p 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely. As long as you are not exchanging bloody body fluids you are safe. Sweaty hands are safe. Even a peck on the cheek or hug is safe for you. He is probably more at risk of catching something from his co-workers than the other way around! The HIV virus cannot survive long outside the body, so do not worry about surfaces like keyboards, phones, paperwork.
2006-08-25 12:32:05 · answer #6 · answered by petlover 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes of course I would. His illness can only be communicated in very specific ways. He is probably very conscious of how others may react to his announcement and he has been very brave to tell everyone directly. You should be supportive of him at what must be a very difficult time in his life.
If you are having unprotected sex with an AIDS sufferer, or are sharing needles for intravenous drug use then your chances of getting AIDS are enormous.
Giving a colleague who has AIDS a hug or a kiss does not pass AIDS on, neither does brushing against them, holding paperwork after they have or using the same keyboard. Nor breathing the same air as them.
Please educate yourself about this disease. Your work colleague may well need your support and understanding in the coming weeks and months, not your fear and ostracism.
2006-08-25 12:19:05 · answer #7 · answered by keefer 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would feel comfortable working with him... hell of a lot more comfortable than he would be feeling right now knowing that he has AIDS. There would always be a small thought in the back of my mind about getting infected myself... you just have to be careful. But we can shut people away because they have AIDS, they are human and not everyone gets AIDS from sleeping around or because they are a junkie. Give him a chance, you aren't going to catch it from paperwork or a keyboard!
2006-08-25 22:47:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I would feel comfortable working with him. Don't worry, unless you have sex with him, share needles with him, or get into contact with his blood, he cannot infect you with HIV. And you really shouldn't be doing any of that with someone from the office anyway.
Don't worry -- just appreciate him for who he is and don't avoid him now that you know. It's like a trust issue for him that he has decided to tell ... so make sure you continue to be worthy of that trust.
2006-08-25 12:01:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a midwife and have come into contact with several women who are HIV possitive i treat them as i would any other patient by taking precausions lets face it no one comes with HIV stamped on their forehead so we dont know who you are dealing with .I think that if a work mate has been brave enough and responsible enought to tell you that he is HIV poss then ofter him the same respect and treat him like everyone else
2006-08-26 13:08:19 · answer #10 · answered by ladydownfall 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you seriously so ignorant and naive that you truly believe you can catch HIV from him by sharing a keyboard or touching paperwork!? Supposing you drink from his coffee mug, there is no significant risk. HIV is passed through bodily fluids or sexual contact, and I suggest you go and read up about it before making judgements.
This poor man has a very difficult situation to deal with, he took a very brave decision to tell people he works with he is HIV positive
and certainly doesn't need to deal with your unfounded fears and prejudice as well.
2006-08-27 07:06:38 · answer #11 · answered by justasiam29 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋