Confidentiality and HIV: ethical issues in the care of patients with HIV

Confidentiality is a cornerstone requirement of a doctor's duty, but it appears to be an issue that consistently produces uncertainly in practitioners. The British Medical Association states that 'the volume of [confidentiality enquiries] outstrips other issues of ethical concern raised by British Medical Association members'. This article looks at confidentiality in respect of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient.