Thursday, April 11, 2013

HIV and AIDS Players On My Team- Joshua Kovacs

We had the debate in class today about what our personal opinion was on playing with a team member that was known to have HIV or being an AD and figuring out what to do with a player that has the virus with regards to other opponents and team members. I personally believe that opponents and team members have he right to know that a player has this virus due to its deadly qualities. This is not something to hide or sweep under the rug, you are potentially dealing with someones life here. If I was on a team with the person that had HIV, I would most likely not play anymore because it would not be worth possibly getting blood from that person on my hand or face and then getting it inside my mouth or eyes through sweat. I would never risk my life to play basketball, no matter how ignorant that sounds or how hurtful that could be to that other person.
Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. Sport and Gender Blog - 11:30 ClassApril 17, 2013 at 4:28 PM

    Josh,

    I respect your decision not to play with that teammate anymore. I think it would be in the back of my mind that if that player ever got their blood on someone else that it could be me and I would be affected. It would be difficult to tell that person you left the team because of the virus they have and could definitely affect the relationship I would have with that person if I was friends with them.

    - Jeff Kravetz

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sport and Gender Blog - 11:30 ClassApril 18, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    Josh,

    If I were an Athletic Director, I would go about the situation in the same way but with a few more steps. First, I would hold a meeting with my players and coaches around the league. I would explain to the athletes and coaches that the risk of catching HIV or even hepatitis B or C through sports activity is extremely small. These viruses are transmitted through blood, semen or vaginal secretions into the bloodstream. HIV and hepatitis B or C cannot be caught from sweat or saliva from other sportspeople. Standard practice is to stop play if a player is bleeding, dress the wound and clean up any blood before resuming play. The Better Health Channel states that, “There have been no known documented cases of transmission of HIV from one athlete to another during participation in a sporting event.” So I would let my player play as long as we take the necessary precautions and they are deserving of their minutes. Everyone’s deserves and fair chance to do what they love.

    Darion Delaney

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sport and Gender Blog - 11:30 ClassApril 18, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    Josh,

    Just like Jeff said I respect your decision to not play with the teammate anymore. When it comes to me and playing the sport that I love and having a teammate who has HIV I have mixed emotions on whether I would still play or not. I only say this because I know the risks of playing with the teammate and I know that I would have to pay attention more and just be careful when practicing with them. In addition, I just wouldn't want to give up the sport that I love playing just because of my teammate having HIV. I know if a player does have HIV it shouldn't be kept quiet when there is a sport being played I think the teammates and the opposing team should know but I don't think the player should be judged and looked at differently when playing the game he or she loves.

    --Lindsey Landversicht

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)