Can you be prosecuted if you know you have an STD and do not tell your sexual partners and they contract the disease?

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Men's Health
Important facts for men to live a healthy life.

Knowingly Transmitting STDs

Here is advice:

• I think if you can prove that the person had knowledge of their condition, that you might have a legal case. Their have been successful cases whereby the person with HIV was prosecuted for having knowingly passed it on. Do phone or visit your local STD clinic and they will advise you further.

• It would be very difficult to prove a certain person infected you without genetic sequencing of yours and their virus. It's expensive and I'm not even sure if it's done. Often times the courts will look at a case like this and not make a reward - as we all need to be responsible for protecting ourselves.

• Also, I think it depends on if the disease is required to be reported to previous partners or the health dept. In my state, it is not required to report to the health department or previous partners if you have genital herpes. I went ahead and did it anyway (advising my previous partners anyway) as I felt it was morally the right thing to do, and interesting enough, when I did mention to my doctor that I had let my previous partners know, he asked "Why the heck did you do that?" Needless to say, he is no longer my doctor. Interesting enough though, and it was very hard for me to tell my previous partners, I did not receive one negative response, and they all thanked me and a few told me they admired me for the guts it took to tell.

First answer by Angel2002. Last edit by ID3449994894. Question popularity: 38 [recommend question]