Judge not....
A 30 plus year old man was brought to us in a moribund stage. Examination in the emergency revealed a semi-conscious man with signs of multiple infections in his lungs and brain. The disease was quite evident – HIV infection (Late stage AIDS) with multiple infections. His CD4 count was just 6. The relatives (2 brothers – one elder and the other younger) seemed to be surprised at the diagnosis and wanted this diagnosis to be kept confidential. Being from a reasonably well off family, they were talking about keeping confidentiality by moving patient from the ICU to a private room once he was stable. Some of us spend quite a bit of time, explaining the illness, the potential of full recovery etc. and they seemed to be convinced. But after 48 hours as time came to move the patient out of ICU they seemed to be confused, and wanted to shift to a general ward. Finances which was not an issue prior to this was highlighted as the issue at hand. Though not convinced, we agreed that he could be ...