My best friend just found out he has AIDS and told me.......?

Question

I work @ Cracker Barrel and I was just told by my best friend that he has AIDs.........he only recently found out, he begged me not to say anything to anyone but my conscience is getting the best of me.......if I were eating out I would want to know if my server had AIDs wouldnt you? What should I do, I am so conflicted right now!!

**** all of you ppl who think I am ignorant, I know he can't it on except by bodily fluids and blood, but you never know what might happen, you NEVER ******* know, I am just looking out for people so **** all of you who want to burn me at the stake for being ******* responsible........

Answer 1

WARNING: HIV Denialists are going on to sites about issues with HIV (youtube, Answers, etc.,) and spreading their lies.
By all means, read what they have to say. Then visit:
http://aidsvideos.org/myths/

This is in response to the HIV Denialist poster, and for those of you who don't know what an HIV Denialist is, here's a definition:
A "denialist" is a person who stubbornly denies a fact that has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt even though overwhelming evidence proving the fact is readily available and independently testable by anyone who wishes to do so. Examples include moon landing, Holocaust, HIV causes AIDS, and round Earth denialists. Denialists ignore evidence published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and fail to publish evidence of their own.

Now to the specific points (all papers were peer reviewed by the way....in case you were wondering:

HIV DOES CAUSE AIDS:

Proof that HIV is the cause of AIDS is overwhelming. National Academy of Sciences, CDC, Institute of Medicine, NIH, AMA, Canadian CDC, Pasteur Institute, UNAIDS, and WHO all agree. Google "HIV and AIDS Myths Debunked" to find a page at AIDSvideos with data and references from research studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals showing that HIV causes AIDS and debunking common myths. Or watch my educational videos such as "The Top Ten Myths About HIV/AIDS."

Responsible scientists agree that HIV causes the disease AIDS. People who are HIV negative do not develop AIDS. We have seen people go from HIV negative to HIV positive to clinical AIDS countless times. There is a correlation between the viral load in a person's blood and the drop in the patient's CD4 count and increase in severity of disease symptoms. When antiretroviral drugs are used and cut the patient's viral load, the CD4 count can rebound and AIDS symptoms can improve.

NIAID: By 12/31/94, "CDC had received reports of 42 health care workers in the United States with documented, occupationally acquired HIV infection, of whom 17 have developed AIDS in the absence of other risk factors .... These individuals all had evidence of HIV seroconversion following a discrete percutaneous or mucocutaneous exposure to blood, body fluids or other clinical laboratory specimens containing HIV." [CDC, "HIV/AIDS surveillance report, 1994 year-end edition," 1995a;6(no.2).]

HIV HAS BEEN FOUND/ISOLATED:
NIAID "Relationship Between HIV and AIDS:" "Improvements in co-culture techniques have allowed the isolation of HIV in virtually all AIDS patients, as well as in almost all seropositive individuals with both early- and late-stage disease." [Coombs et al, "Plasma viremia in human immunodeficiency virus infection," N Engl J Med 1989;321(24):1626-31. Schnittman et al, "The reservoir for HIV-1 in human peripheral blood ...," Science 1989;245(4915):305-8." Also Ho et al 1989, Jackson et al 1990]

(Source: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/hivaids/all.htm)

NIAID "Relationship:" HIV has been "isolated from the brains of children and adults with AIDS-associated encephalopathy, which suggested a role for these viruses in the central nervous system disorders seen in many patients with AIDS." [Levy JA et al. "Isolation of AIDS-associated retroviruses from cerebrospinal fluid and brain ..." Lancet 1985;2(8455):586-8. Ho DD et al. "Isolation of HTLV-III from cerebrospinal fluid and neural tissues ..." N Engl J Med 1985;313(24):1493-7.]

"HIV can be isolated from AIDS patients and grown in laboratories. PCR tests can count the amount of HIV in blood. The virus is easily, and has been on numerous occasions, photographed using electron microscopes." (From aidstruth web site's article "Errors in Celia Farber's March 2006 article in Harper's Magazine")

(Source: http://www.aidstruth.org/ErrorsInFarberArticle.pdf)

AIDS IS NOT CAUSED BY Antiretroviral Medications:
Antiretroviral medications (ARVs) do not cause AIDS. Clinical AIDS including all of its symptoms has been diagnosed in countless people who were never previously treated with ARVs. On average, people who are diagnosed with clinical AIDS and put on ARVs live longer than those diagnosed with clinical AIDS who are not put on ARVs. ARVs treat AIDS, not cause it. HIV is the cause of AIDS.

(Source: http://www.avert.org/evidence.htm)

ARVs DO NOT MAKE PEOPLE SICKER, BUT BETTER:

ARVs do sometimes have unpleasant side effects. But remember: (1) often people are put on ARVs because they're already becoming sick with a low CD4 count and/or clinical AIDS symptoms, and they're no panacea, so it's no surprise if people on ARVs still look sick, and (2) they might be sicker or dead if they weren't on the ARVs. Studies have proven that ARVs are safe and effective for treating clinical AIDS. The death rate is lower for those on ARVs than those not treated.

HIV TEST IS ACCURATE:
Testing is specific & accurate. "A large study of HIV testing in 752 U.S. laboratories reported a sensitivity of 99.7% and specificity of 98.5% .... and studies in U.S. blood donors reported specificities of 99.8% and greater than 99.99% (46, 47). With confirmatory Western blot, the chance of a false-positive identification in a low-prevalence setting is about 1 in 250 000 (95% CI, 1 in 173 000 to 1 in 379 000) (48)." (Chou et al, Annals of Internal Medicine, 5 July 05, vol 143, #1, p 55-73)

(Source: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/143/1/55)

"The performance of four enzyme immunoassays, manufactured by Abbott, Diagnostics Pasteur, Genetic Systems, and Organon Teknika, for the combined detection of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and anti-HIV-2, was examined .... Sensitivity estimates in the four assays were 99.71, 99.94, 99.49, and 99.68% .... Specificity estimates from blood donations were 99.92, 99.46, 99.67, and 99.85% ..." [Silvester et al. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1995;8:411]

HAVING ANTIBODIES DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN YOU ARE IMMUNE:

Having antibodies to a virus does not necessarily mean that your body is now immune to that virus. It only means that your body has been exposed to the virus (or to a vaccine) and has generated antibodies in response. The immune system is able to develop protective immunity to some viruses but not all viruses. Unfortunately, HIV is one of the viruses that the body is able to fight but not to eliminate and develop protective immunity against on its own.

NIAID: Many viruses are pathogenic even after antibodies appear [Oldstone MB, "Viral persistence," Cell 1989;56(4):517-20], including polio [Kurth R, "Does HIV cause AIDS?" Intervirology 1990;31(6):301-14], measles [Gershon AA in Principles and Practices of Infectious Diseases, 3rd ed. NY: Churchill Livingstone, 1990, pp. 1279-84.], cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and varicella zoster [Weiss & Jaffe, "Duesberg, HIV and AIDS (commentary)" Nature 1990;345:659-60.].

CLAIM: HIV Test Bottles or Documentation Say There's No Standard for Being HIV Positive

Those are only standard legal disclaimers. "A large study of HIV testing in 752 U.S. laboratories reported a sensitivity of 99.7% and specificity of 98.5% .... and studies in U.S. blood donors reported specificities of 99.8% and greater than 99.99% (46, 47). With confirmatory Western blot, the chance of a false-positive identification in a low-prevalence setting is about 1 in 250 000 (95% CI, 1 in 173 000 to 1 in 379 000) (48)." (Chou et al,Annals of Internal Medicine,5 July 05,v143#1,p55-73)

(Source: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/143/1/55)

Answer 2

For some reason I detect a hint of bullsh*t with this question. How does your friend know for a fact that she has had AIDS for a month. First of all, you have to have HIV first and it can take many months and/or many tests before it will show up positive. @what age did your friend become sexually active? It had to be VERY young if she is only 15 and has this dreadful disease. Has she used drug w/a dirty needle?(if so you should not be her friend for the reason)Anyway, there is no way to tell how long a person has had the virus...Unless she used a dirty needle or she just lost her virginity 1 month ago and has been w/ no one else and for whatever reason she went and got an AIDS test. Hmmmm? Is it possible that she could be telling you this as some kind of sick joke or some weird & psycho way of getting attention? I know this is weighing heavy on your mind or else U would not be posting this question. Has she ever said anything like this before to get attention? Is she the kinda person who is starving for attention? I doubt she has it, but if she does she is gonna need U now more than ever. Don't be uneducated about this disease. Look it up on the web & read about it before U jump ro conclusions.

Answer 3

No actually I wouldn't care if the server had aids its not all that. Its not like he's going to spit or bleed in the food or somethin. And when I say not all that I mean it that the costumer is not gonna want to know if the server has aids. As long as he doesn't do anything to the food it should be fine. Don't worry. Telling the costumer is just going to make them freak out and that place lose business people take that kinda of stuff the wrong way. And are you sure its not HIV cuz Aids takes a while to spread throught the body more like years. I know becuz I just watched a lifetime movie a couple hours ago called girl positive.

Answer 4

Well, if you had a conscience, which is lacking at best, you would educate yourself about AIDS and how it is transmitted and keep you mouth shut. Then, you could reach out to your friend and do what you can to help him through this most difficult time.

He confided in you...does that mean anything to you? Do you know how traumatic it is to hear that news? Obviously, you don't.

Try to fight the urge to be the GOSSIP QUEEN, especially when it could destroy his life, and confidence. He is very fragile right now and there is nothing like finding out you have contracted AIDS and getting fired because of your big-mouthed "best friend" rats you out.

Jeez, you are pathetic. What do you want him to do? Wear a nametag that says, "Hi. I'm Adam and I have AIDS, can I get you a beverage to start you off?"

Pull your head out of the sand and stop being so selfish and worrying about YOUR conscience...how do you think he is feeling right now? Like losing his job to a company that is anti-gay to begin with?

I strongly suggest he get tested again, because false-positives happen. He also needs to find a support group to help him with his feelings.

You should be supportive; not looking to nail his soul to a cross trying to do the "right thing."

Ignorance is bliss...'til it slaps you up the side of your head. With a friend like you, who needs enemies?

This is the most crass and stupid thing I've ever answered on here...god help ya' girl.

Answer 5

hi

i am not going to be mean like a majority of your answer'ers (SP)but i am going to be as nice as i possibly can in my answer! no hard feelings....

I am in the process of waiting for results on a HIV test and it is because i was tested a flase positive two years ago and, being young i flipped out and forgot about it . Now i am just in a waiting stage. waiting to find out if my life will be forever changed.

i do not live a hazardous life style, no drugs and i dont sleep around. Sometimes people are just victims and i have come to learn that IF i am HIV positive its my life... and life is all the more beautiful because it is even more dear to me then it was before.

I suggest you do some research just to understand the steps and processes of AIDS and HIV. You'd be surprised how much you will learn.

and back to your question? I work in three restuarants and go to college. i have done alot of thinking abou tthis situation and yes some may think it woul dbe safe to stay away from the food industry but that is not the case... No one will be harmed by his diagnosis unless something OUT OF THE WORLD happens. which is highly highly unlikely. But what i am concerned about is not the health of the customers but the repuation and dignity of the person. The customers are NOT going to get infected therefore they have no right to know about health issues.

i am worried about repuations becuase the world digresses away from the knowledge of HIV and AIDS and those who know others with it assume and attack without knowing anything about the viruses. I am scared for your friend not because of the health battle he faces but because of the neglecting and abuseful society we live in... i mean honey look at what your doing....

poor kid.

you need to be there for him and not say anything and most of all.. pray. pray hard

God wont let you down.

Answer 6

You can't tranmit HIV through food or being served food from someone with HIV.

The person would have to have unprotected sex with the server to get it. Or use IV drugs. If this is happening at Cracker Barrel, then go ahead and tell your manager.

Answer 7

Chances are you have already been served by someone with HIV and not even known it. You probably have even been cared for by a healthcare worker with HIV at the doctor or hospital. Educate yourself about HIV/ AIDS before you go and stab your best friend in the back. He is not a leper and you are not protecting anyone by telling the boss or the customers.

Answer 8

You cannot get aids from someone unless you come in contact with their blood or body fluids. He isn't going to give anyone HIV or AIDS serving food to them unless he's bleeding in their food which is unlikely. Try to support your friend by looking up information about HIV/AIDS and educating yourself so that you are more comfortable around him.

Answer 9

He confided in you and it would be in your best interest as a moral individual, to keep this to yourself.

However, he does NOT have to tell his employer or his customers. According to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), AIDS/HIV is a disability and should be treated as such. ADA strives to remove or lessen barriers for people with disabilites in many areas of life, employment included. Look it up before you make a fool of yourself.

Answer 10

if your server had aids there is now way you get infected you would need to have blood to blood contact with that person or swallow a complete gallon of that persons saliva to become infected or share a needle with and/or have sexual contact with them aids is not contacious on a daily basic touch/ and if you are a best friend you need to honor there wishes and keep it a secret this is a very personal manner

Answer 11

You would surprised at the number of people who are HIV in the food services field.

It only matters if he bleeds all over the food.

Mind your own business.

YOU WOULD BE SO WRONG IF YOU TOLD HIS BUSINESS~!!!!! I WOULD NOT CARE IF HE HAD HIV LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE IT THAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT....MAYBE YOU SHOULD LIVE IN A BUBBLE!!!! I TOLD YOU IT BECAUSE HE TRUST YOU BUT YOU HAVE A BIG MOUTH IF YOU TELL ANYONE!!!!