title: AIDS and confidentiality: a legal/ethical dilemma.
abstract: The AIDS epidemic has created difficult ethical and legal problems. A particularly acute conflict for the healthcare professional occurs when the obligation to maintain HIV-patient confidentiality is at odds with the need to protect the ignorant sexual partner from infection. In spite of counseling, the AIDS patient may continue to engage in unsafe sexual practices with partners who are unaware of the individual's HIV status. The Centers for Disease Control and medical organizations such as the American Medical Association are in general agreement that the sexual partner of an HIV-positive patient must be notified. The legal strictures regarding confidentiality, however, vary from state to state.
authors: Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Haggberg
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017007:Duty to Warn; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D016485:Needle Sharing; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology