Medicine with a diagnosis of HIV?

**Taurus81** · 02-04-2012, 08:14 PM

Hey,

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a doctor but ended up taking an art route through uni and now work in property. I nevertheless have a good grounding in science. The time has now come where I am financially secure and can afford to retrain and I want that to be in medicine. I also have the full support of my fiancee.

I was diagnosed with HIV in my mid 20s and despite this I am extremely fit, run half marathons and train most days. My HIV is completely under control as it was diagnosed early and I have never had any illnesses associated with the condition. My viral load is undetectable, meaning I am not a health risk.

Can I still train as a doctor with HIV?

If so, at which point do I declare this? I don't want to be rejected because of fear.

Cheers,

Angelina

**MattKneale** · 02-04-2012, 09:30 PM

You are able to train as a doctor despite being HIV positive, however you are limited to which directions you can take as you cannot perform exposure prone procedures in any capacity, regardless of how far on your disease is or your viral load. I'm not particularly knowledgeable on this, hopefully someone else can give you more information.

Matt

**Martigan** · 03-04-2012, 04:35 PM

You will need to declare this. Most probably in the pre-starting medical questionnaire. However this *shouldn't* be an issue until you have an offer. There are various rules on discrimination, so in theory, it shouldn't be an issue, but currently you would be barred from Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP), so surgery will probably be out for you. :/

However as the risks are better understand they may well relax some of the restrictions, so this may well have changed by the time you would graduate.

**blondibabe** · 18-08-2012, 11:31 PM

Just because your viral load is low does not mean you are not a risk.

**jcak** · 19-08-2012, 12:25 AM

I doubt they would not allow entry to a medical school on the basis you've stated of "fear". After all, the doctors on the interview board probably know more than most about HIV

**kiaravin1** · 25-08-2012, 03:01 AM

Hi Taurus81,

No need to worry to much, you can definitely still become a doctor with a diagnosis of HIV. But as others have said before, there are some areas of medicine that you would not be able to go into (surgery), and you can't take part in any Exposure Prone Procedures (but it won't just restrict you to being a GP!).

My advice would be to first decide the universities you are eligible to apply to, and make a short-list of the ones you want to apply to. I would then ask for specific advice from the Admissions team before you apply so they are aware early and can complete any assessments they need to do well before the course starts. I know Nottingham ask you to speak with the Admissions Sub-Dean before applying, and I imagine most other universities will be the same. Then when applying make sure you declare your status on any health questionnaires, and get in touch with Occupational Health as soon as you can, so you can discuss any adaptations that need to be made for you.

You could always get in touch with the Student Support/Welfare teams at the universities to ask for their advice on what you need to do and who you need to contact as well if you want some more advice.

Good luck!

**aboutwart** · 08-09-2012, 11:02 AM

yes, If your viral is low it doesn't means you are not at risk.

**Harbini** · 17-09-2012, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Taurus81

Hey,

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a doctor but ended up taking an art route through uni and now work in property. I nevertheless have a good grounding in science. The time has now come where I am financially secure and can afford to retrain and I want that to be in medicine. I also have the full support of my fiancee.

I was diagnosed with HIV in my mid 20s and despite this I am extremely fit, run half marathons and train most days. My HIV is completely under control as it was diagnosed early and I have never had any illnesses associated with the condition. My viral load is undetectable, meaning I am not a health risk.

Can I still train as a doctor with HIV?

If so, at which point do I declare this? I don't want to be rejected because of fear.

Cheers,

Angelina

You need to declare this on your UCAS form. Most medical schools actually state this in their entry requirements/health requirements page. They won't discriminate against you because of it, but they need to know this so that they can alter the course for you.