64. Should people with HIV tell their doctor, dentist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, and other health care providers?

Yes. To provide the best medical care, health care providers need to know the HIV status of their patients. It is against the law for health care providers to deny care to people with HIV because of their HIV status. By law, health care providers must keep your HIV status confidential.

32. Can I get HIV from contact with my doctor, dentist, or other health care professional?

It is extremely unlikely that you can get HIV or other blood-borne diseases from a doctor, dentist, or other health care professional. To protect themselves and their patients, health care workers are required to use Universal Precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. Universal Precautions include always wearing latex gloves when taking blood samples or giving shots and washing hands before and after all medical procedures. Dental health care providers should use latex gloves whenever they place their fingers in or around a patient’s mouth. All medical personnel should use Universal Precautions with all patients. Patients can ask their health care providers about how Universal Precautions are followed where they receive their care.