Can I still play Rugby Union after being diagnosed HIV positive?
Thank you for your question. Let me start at the end and work backwards if that is ok? Your CD4 count will not be affected by your playing rugby. As you rightly said, exercise is a good way of maintaining a healthy body and mind which leads to a healthy immune system. I contacted the RFU on your behalf and am pleased to say that they are very forward thinking. It is so refreshing to find an organisation that does not discriminate against people because of their HIV status but sticks to the facts of transmission and universal precautions! I have pasted their reply to your question below: There are no regulations currently precluding HIV positive players from playing rugby union or mandating disclosure of their status to anyone. They may of course elect to disclose and the information will be handled according to the principles of medical confidentiality. All players are treated as if they might be carrying a blood borne disease when it comes to the management of bleeding wounds. The RFU
