AIDS/HIV is a major chronic illness today and even though it's no longer a medical emergency, it is seriously affecting lives of 40 million people around the world. (Britton, 2006) The work concern of individuals with AIDS is an important issue to discuss. The reasons being that while people with HIV were once seen as a medical crisis but that is no longer the case with longer life expectancy and improved quality of life. When AIDS was still a major and rather unexpected discovery at workplaces in the US, patients were viewed as emergencies and most were told to retire and enjoy the remaining few years of their lives. However that has changed dramatically with better drugs and treatments, which have helped in the improvement of medical condition and life expectancy. The individuals with HIV are living longer now and their career concerns are as real as that of anyone else. That alone explains why this issue is an important one and must be carefully discussed. Stress is a commonly experienced faced by individuals with HIV due to their changed health status. Post-traumatic stress disorder has been found in many patients and correct coping strategies are required to address this problem. (Olley et al. 2005)
             Health professional and knowledge of the issue
             As a health professional, it is important for me to learn about the career concerns of HIV people because this can have an impact on the treatment they receive. Since the impact of such a discovery is far-reaching, it is important that people with positive diagnosis of HIV integrate this awareness in their self-concept and career options. While they are investing wholeheartedly in their lives, relationships and careers, it is nonetheless critical to include the awareness of this discovery in their long-term plans. One critical issue that needs to be addressed is the treatment that would receive at work after disclosure. Once the people at work know that an individual is suffering ...