It saddens my soul to know that in some states, the spit of an HIV positive person is considered a deadly weapon. Ive spent alot of time trying to educate young people but I would love to sit in a room with policy makers and share my story with them. I would like to hug the law makers and then educate them on the basics of HIV transmission. I must admit I fool myself in thinking that everyone knows how HIV is transmitted. I cant recall blogging about modes of transmission so here it is.
HIV lives in 4 body fluids. Blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids. The virus can be found in these fluids and any other body fluids in which these 4 can be found including pre-cum and any body fluid containing blood. If I, an HIV positive person, were to spit on you, lick you or eat off your fork when your back is turned you are not at risk of catching HIV. If I were to kiss you on your lips you should not run out and seek an HIV test. If we got in a physical fight unless we both some how receive open wounds there is no risk of you becoming infected.
HIV positive people are serving time in prison for spiting. Although it is a very rude thing to do to someone there is no reason that ones diagnosis should make this an arrestable offensive. I have been reading up on HIV related laws and I must say I am not at all surprised at the fact that HIV positive people are still afraid to live out loud. I watched the movie titled Philadelphia just yesterday and it made me think. After all these years and all this work people are still being fired from their job after their HIV status is exposed. I know this to be true because It happened to me. Ignorance should be outlawed! If we would all take the time to learn all there is to know about what it is that we fear then how great would this world be. Racism would be erased, stereotypes would vanish, and ignorance would not be an option.
Do you have the link of the article? about the person being locked up for spitting? I definitely agree hat that is absurd! I would like to read it if possible…
I have updated this blog to include a video from youtube that touches on the laws as the pertain to HIV positive women.
I have heard of several different stories of this happening here are a few links:
http://criminalhivtransmission.blogspot.com/2008/07/us-hiv-positive-georgia-woman-gets.html
http://www.hivjustice.net/casetype/spitting/page/2/
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=461074#.UYKNQ0q1W2w
http://www.hivlawandpolicy.org/posts/view/113
There is a law in the state of Pennsylvania that says its a second degree felony for an HIV positive inmate to spit at someone.
Pennsylvania Statute §2703 states:
A person who is confined in or committed to any jail, prison or correctional or penal institution is guilty of a felony of the second degree if he or she, while so confined (or being transported to or from such a facility), intentionally or knowingly causes another to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, saliva, urine or feces by throwing, tossing, spitting or expelling such fluid or material when, at the time of the offense, the person knew, had reason to know or should have known or believed that such fluid or material was infected with HIV.