[Prevention of HIV infection (AIDS)]

Principal elements of the HIV- and AIDS-prevention in the social field and health care are discussed. The infection with HIV as a sexually transmitted disease can only be prevented by personal caution in the sexual behavior. Counselling should in particular be addressed to risk groups such as homosexuals and drug abusers early enough and contribute to practising safer sex. General rules of behavior and of the hygienics in hospitals are described. The risk of infection by blood transfusion is relatively low, namely 1:300,000 to 1:3 Mio. The modalities of optional anonymous epidemiologic system of registration (report, testing, counselling, care) are discussed. Finally problems of the development of a HIV-vaccine are described, and the necessity to avoid discriminations of HIV infected or endangered persons is underlined.