Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The impact on professional nursing practice

The epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and all of its consequences has had a significant impact on our society and on the delivery of health care. This article explores the impact that HIV infection and AIDS has had on professional nursing practice. The risk of occupational exposure, the question of obligation to care, the need for reexamination of values, philosophy of nursing, and some of the ethical issues, the need for learning and relearning, and the need for supporting each other as individuals, co-workers, and co-professionals are discussed.