HIV status
Dutch lawLawRules which decide what you may and may not do. Every country has…Read more forbids any discriminationDiscriminationTreating people differently, for example because they have another skin colour, sex or…Read more based on healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more status. This means a person with HIV has to be treated like any other person.
It is always the HIV-positiveHIV-positiveYou are HIV-positive when you are infected with the HIV-virus. An HIV-positive person…Read more person who decides if they tell other people about it or not.
You cannot get infected with HIV through social contact, for example: by sharing a glass or plate with someone who has HIVHIVA virus (human immunodeficiency virus) that affects the natural immune system. When someone…Read more or by touching or kissing each other.
HIV and work
An HIV-positive person does not have to mention this during a job interview. The employer does not have the right to ask questions about their health. If the employer does ask such questions, you do not have to answer or you can say that this is confidential information and that you are willing to talk to the occupational physician (bedrijfsarts). The occupational physician can only ask you questions related to your physical ability to do the job. They also have to respectRespectFeeling of appreciation for a person. If you respect another person, you think…Read more your privacyPrivacyRight to give information to someone without this person passing on this information…Read more.
It is not forbidden to lie about your HIV status during a job interview, because the question should not be asked. The employer cannot use this as a reason to dismiss you if they discover it later.
You cannot get HIV by shaking the hand of a person who is HIV-positive.
If there is an accident involving a person who is HIV-positive, the general first-aid procedures are sufficient to prevent someone else becoming infected by the HIV virusVirusVery small particle that can invade the body. It multiplies easily in the…Read more. An employer cannot, therefore, fire or refuse someone with HIV a job by saying it could cause a health riskRiskPossibility that something unpleasant may happen, for example a disease.Read more for colleagues or clients.
An HIV-positive person does not have to inform their colleagues or boss about it. If you tell your boss, it can be easier for you to take medicines during working hours or to go to the doctorDoctorSomeone who is trained to cure sick people. Doctors can prescribe medicines. A…Read more.
If you have any questions about this or want to report discrimination, contact a specialised organisation.
HIV and travelling
For visits of less than 3 months, there are only a few countries in the world that ask for an HIV testHIV testTest to check whether you have HIV. Without the test, you cannot be…Read more or deny entry to HIV-positive people. More countries are restrictive for longer stays. In the European Union, there are currently no travel restrictions for HIV-positive people. You can find more information on www.hivtravel.org.
You can keep a copy of the prescriptionPrescriptionSmall paper on which the doctor writes which medicines you have to take. With…Read more for your medicines with you in case questions are asked at the border concerning the medicines in your luggage.
Access to health care
Dutch nationals or persons with legal residence status can get medical expenses reimbursed through their health insurance.
Persons without legal residence status can get access to care and medicines via the procedure for urgent medical care.
Doctors and other medical staff are bound by professional confidentiality (privacy).