On May 20, 1983, a French team from the Institut Pasteur in Paris discovered HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus. In four decades, the daily lives of patients have improved a lot, and recently, the rights of HIV-positive people in France have evolved in several areas.
The AIDS virus was discovered 40 years ago. The birthday was May 20. The rights of HIV-positive people in France have evolved recently.
franceinfo: What are the changes concerning the rights of these people?
Philippe Duport: The most recent development of course concerns the end of discrimination in hiring, for HIV-positive people, in the army, the gendarmerie, among the firefighters of Paris, and the sailors-firefighters of Marseille. On the side of the magistrates, too, there was an evolution, in 2016. The regulations of the National School of the Judiciary no longer mention any pathology that could give rise to long-term leave, naturally implying HIV.
Should my employer be informed if I am HIV positive?
No, you have no obligation to inform him. Even occupational medicine does not have to be aware, says Marion Jorand, a lawyer specializing in occupational health issues. HIV does not have to be screened for a pre-recruitment medical examination, even for jobs exposing employees to particular risks, such as health professionals, for example.
Is medically assisted procreation open to HIV-positive people?
There too, there has been a change, but it dates from 2001. Yes, HIV-positive couples, or one of whose partners is HIV-positive, have access to PMA. Problem, there are only 16 centers, located in 11 regions, authorized to practice these PMA, which are technically a little more complicated than the others. Women wishing to embark on this process therefore have every interest in having their eggs frozen.
What about blood donations?
You cannot donate your blood if you are HIV-positive, but you can donate your organs to another HIV-positive person. You can also receive organs from an HIV-negative donor, provided you have an undetectable or very low viral load.
What are the rules concerning bank loans?
Here too, there is something new. Since last year, the health questionnaire is no longer mandatory to take out mortgage insurance, if you borrow less than 200,000 euros, and repay before your 60th birthday. For higher sums, a person with HIV will no longer be subject to an additional premium or exclusion from cover.