Human immunodeficiency virus and the orthopaedic surgeon.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus is a devastating disease that ends in death. The fear that it engenders in healthworkers and patients may be out of proportion to the risks involved but an emotional response to the dangers is understandable. However, a careful study of the risks, the adoption of high standards of practice, and control of the clinical environment probably can eliminate most of the risk. There is a clear conflict of interest between the maintenance of confidentiality for the infected person and the right to information of those with whom they come into contact. Mandatory clinical testing for human immunodeficiency virus is likely to become the most contentious medicolegal issue of the next decade.