In many jurisdictions, infecting someone with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a criminal offense. Most people know this, but there are some related regulations you should know about. Here are some of the things you should know about STD laws:
Your Partner Doesn't Have To Learn It from You
If you are suffering from STD such as HIV/AIDS, then some states have laws that require your doctor (or the laboratory that tested you) to inform your partners about your condition. The doctors are also required to tell your partner where to get help (such as testing and treatment). In some states, it's not a requirement, but the doctor is allowed to do it if he or she chooses to. Therefore, in these states, you can't have these doctors charged with breach of privacy if they inform your partner about your STD status. Except in these few exceptional circumstances, privacy laws prohibit your doctor from disclosing your HIV status.
You Don't Have To Infect Your Partner to Be Charged
In most states, infecting your sexual partner with an STD may attract both criminal and civil lawsuits. The criminal lawsuit punishes you for the act while the civil lawsuit is mean to make you compensate the wronged person.
However, in a few states, you may face criminal charges even if you didn't infect your partner with an STD. All he or she has to prove is that you knew you were infected, did not tell your partner about it, and proceeded to have sex with him or her.
It's Not All About Sex
STD laws have been enacted to prevent negligent transmission of the diseases. As you know, sexual relations are not the only means of transmitting these diseases. Therefore, some states have laws meant to prevent transmission of STDs through nonsexual means. For example, in California, it is illegal to donate blood or body tissues if you know you are HIV positive.
HIV is Treated More Seriously
Lastly, you should know that STDs are not all equal in the eyes of the law; HIV is a more serious disease. This is because of the serious nature of the infection; it doesn't even have a cure, and an infected person has to stay on lifelong treatment. Therefore, HIV-related offenses attract stricter sentences; it's not unheard of for an offender to face jail time.
Considering all these laws, you should always know your STD status and take appropriate measures to ensure that you don't infect another person. You should also educate yourself about your state's STD laws to know what is illegal and what is not.
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