ABSTRACT
In this chapter we examine the consequences of HIV disclosure and the choices to maintain privacy for persons with HIV and for others to whom they might or might not disclose the diagnosis. A person deciding if or when to disclose takes into account how benefits weigh against drawbacks (described in chap. 3); included in this process is uncertainty about how the others will react and possible unforeseen consequences. This balance is crucial because of the potential outcomes: specifically, disclosure can provide opportunities for social support but also opens a person to risks. Many of these consequences occur only after disclosure, that is, the consequences are not apparent when the person has not disclosed. However, as CPM argues, given that people manage their privacy, some anticipate consequences and make judgments about revealing or concealing based on reactions they expect (Petronio, 2002).
