Information about HIV and AIDS should be confidential. There is a difference between confidential and private. Any "private" information is anything that you do not want someone else to know; however, it can change with circumstances.

Confidential information is very sensitive, and is protected by state and federal guidelines and/or laws. Examples of confidential information are health and medical, financial, and any information that can identify a person such as a social security number.

The goal of the confidentiality laws is to let the person living with a medical condition, whatever it is, control what happens to their personal information and that includes discussing someone else´s HIV/AIDS status without their permission. Please discuss your rights and privacy with your health care provider.

Adapted in part from www.positiveoutlook.org.