What is true regarding the handling of HIV information?

Informed consent is necessary when handling HIV information because it ensures that individuals are fully aware of how their sensitive health information will be used and shared. This principle is rooted in respecting patients' rights and promoting autonomy over their own health choices. Federal and state laws typically require healthcare providers to obtain informed consent before disclosing HIV-related information to third parties, thereby protecting the patient's privacy.

When patients provide informed consent, they understand what information may be shared, with whom, and for what specific purposes. This is especially critical given the stigma often associated with HIV. Ensuring informed consent empowers patients to control aspects of their medical information and fosters a trusting relationship between the patient and healthcare provider.

In contrast, confidentiality regarding HIV status is fundamentally required by law in many places, and employers do not have the right to know a person's HIV status without consent. Additionally, patients do have the ability to restrict how their information is shared, which underscores the importance of informed consent in the handling of their health information.