Medical confidentiality in the care of patients with HIV/AIDS

Abstract The life of the person who finds they are infected with the immunodeficiency virus is transformed after the diagnosis. And, given the stigma of the disease, confidentiality is the way to ensure privacy when facing this condition. Through an integrative review of the literature, this study aimed to identify how confidentiality has been addressed in the care of people with HIV/AIDS. Nineteen national and international scientific publications, published between 2010 and 2015, were selected in open access databases. Studies have pointed out that stigma, prejudice and discrimination permeate the lives of HIV-positive people, who are constantly living in fear of being discovered. In addition, it has been found that discrimination is present even among health professionals and that breaking confidentiality usually leads the patient to abandon treatment. Therefore, preserving the privacy and confidentiality of the person with HIV/AIDS is the duty of professionals and represents a challenge in the information age.