There has been an increase in unemployment for patients who are diagnosed with HIV. Studies have shown that the actual HIV disease is not necessarily the reason why patients are choosing to leave their jobs. The reason for patients leaving their jobs is less because of the HIV disease itself and more because of the negative side effects that are caused by the HIV disease.

Some of the side effects can include severe depression and diabetes. It can be hard for patients to continue to work on a daily basis while dealing with diabetes. It can be even harder for a patient who is depressed due to their HIV to hold down a steady job.

The studies are showing that the unemployment rate seems to increase dramatically in patients with HIV soon after they receive their diagnosis. While much progress has been made when it comes to treating the HIV disease, it is still true that patients with HIV are more susceptible to diseases and illnesses. There is currently no true cure for HIV but there are medications that  can be prescribed and other treatment methods that may be used to help treat a patient who is dealing with HIV. Another main reason for the increase in HIV patients could be because they often become sick and ill faster than the average individual which makes it harder to keep a job. Someone who become sick on a regular basis may find it hard to make it work and maintain a job.

A studied was performed in France on over 600 patients who were diagnosed with HIV. Out of the 600 patients, over 300 of them did have jobs before and during the time of their diagnosis. During the study that was performed on HIV patients, almost 70 of these patients chose to stop working. Some of the patients did return to work after an extended period of time but many of these patients remained unemployed. Patients who were older in age and were recently diagnosed with HIV were more likely to leave their job than a younger patient who was recently diagnosed with the disease.

The studies that were performed did that show that while there was an increase in unemployment for patients who have been diagnosed with HIV, progression of the disease was not necessarily a determining factor. The studies also show that HIV patients do not leave their jobs just because they have started therapy for the disease. Many of the HIV patients who made the decision to leave their profession were actually dealing with some of the other negative side effects that can be caused by HIV. These side effects can include diabetes, hypertension, and even depression.