Can HIV Patients Get CDL?

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by IL_truckergal, Nov 18, 2010.

  1. IL_truckergal

    IL_truckergal Light Load Member

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    My friend who's been thinking of going to a trucking school next summer, was just confirmed to have HIV. Will that prevent him from passing his physical? He does have to get routine treatments, but his health is pretty much optimal right now.
     
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  3. TheHealthyDriver

    TheHealthyDriver Heavy Load Member

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    I have no idea, but have a question for your friend.

    From what I understand, when you have HIV, you don't really want to be taxing the body in any large amount. Trucking will do just that. So, why choose trucking?

    Just curious.
     
  4. truckerdad57

    truckerdad57 Light Load Member

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    No HIV will not prevent you from getting a DOT medical card unless the HIV is causing other problems that would make you unsafe.

    In fact there was a recent ADA case where a trucking company LOST when they fired a driver for having HIV.
     
  5. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    Some of the medications they need to take for it might not be ok to drive on......Just a thought. He might want to look into that..



    American Trucker
     
  6. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    I think truckerdad is right. I read something on it at the FMSCA website. It falls under respiratory problems. I believe it's okay until complications start. Probably get a limited medical card.

    In my search I run across an article with a lot lizard that claimed to infect 500 truck drivers with HIV. That's scarey. You better think twice paying drivers!
     
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  7. CA_Medicine_Woman

    CA_Medicine_Woman Light Load Member

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    HIV is not a disqualifying factor (nor should it be), though some of the later illnesses could be (especially PK and toxoplasmosis).

    This is a high stress job with lots of contact with people who may have viral infections (cold, flu, etc). No job is worth your friend's life, and both these factors will put him at increased risk. Having said that, I know dozens who are HIV positive who are doing just fine, and their carriers knew their HIV status before hiring them.

    Just make sure he asks himself (daily) the same question all of us should be asking ourselves, am I safe to drive today?
     
  8. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    I believe it might be a big issue with the training side due to the close proximity involved.

    Otherwise, it would not be a problem unless the disease was in later stages and affected the respiratory areas.
     
  9. Pinoy51563

    Pinoy51563 Light Load Member

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    That depends on their medications they take. I have a nephew who has HIV and one of his medications tends to make him drowsy.
     
  10. IL_truckergal

    IL_truckergal Light Load Member

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    Litchfield, IL
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    I guess you could say trucking chose him. He's wanted to do it all his life but put and college aside to care for his terminal single father.

    He's only been through less than a year's worth of treatment and it's already taxing him to the point that he can't even drive himself home from the clinic.

    He's decided against it but I've promised to take him with me for a few rides this summer.
     
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  11. taylor1956

    taylor1956 Bobtail Member

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    I'm not a trucker (yet) so I can't answer about the specifics of the CDL medical exam but I wanted to correct some of the information in the responses (and it's wonderful to see the sensitivity shown by all responders) because I have been HIV since 1985 and so have lots of experience dealing with this beast. Today, most people with HIV can be virally suppressed (that is, have their HIV levels down to undetectable) if they adhere to their regimen. Everyone has their own response to medical treatment, so it's hard to generalize beyond that. Some HIV meds cause diarrhea or stomach upset (I've never had either). As far as I'm aware, none of the major medical combinations cause any neurological impairment that would interfere with operating machinery. One of the advanced effects of disease in SOME people is neuropathy: numbness of the legs. Again, I can't imagine someone with peripheral neuropathy going to CDL classes or continuing driving.

    As for stress, exposure to infection, etc., thanks for everyone's concern but HIV positive people don't have to worry about that anymore than any other trucker (and truckers are notorious for not taking care of their health!) The main problems as I see it with HIV and CDL are logistical: how are you going to fill prescriptions with long stretches on the road? But I think this is a problem for many other truckers with chronic medical issues. In short, HIV has become a manageable chronic illness.

    I hope this detailed response helps. Feel free to email me privately through the site if you have further questions.
     
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