Should a patient with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be eligible to receive an organ transplant?

Discussion Board

Should a patient with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be eligible to receive an organ transplant?

Some people believe that organs for transplantation should be reserved for those people with the longest life expectancy; others feel that HIV patients cannot survive the immunosuppression that is required for transplant recipients, whereas still others feel that organ transplantation should be an option for HIV patients.

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I believe that someone with HIV should be eligible, however, I do not think someone with full blown AIDS should be.  That being said I believe that how long they have had HIV along with any other health issues should be carefully evaluated prior to the choice to allow them to receive or not.  I think the chances of survival for someone with full blown AIDS is extremely low along with the chance of rejection of the organ too high.  I agree that the organ should go to someone with a longer life expectancy and more importantly a lesser chance of organ rejection.  Since many people can live with HIV for a long time before progressing to full blown AIDS I don’t think it can be as simple as yes/no without a case by case evaluation.

-Alicia