[AIDS: each and every one's responsibility]

AIDS is posing challenges at various public health related levels, epidemiological, clinical, social, ethical, legal. In the current absence of possibilities of curative treatment or of vaccine, it is essential to provide sufficient information on the available preventive measures. Given the increase in the numbers of seropositive persons, and the recognition that heterosexual relations area significant transmission route in case of multiple, illknown partners, the need is to actively promote the sale and use of condoms (male preservatives), in risk situations in general (and not only to homosexuals and drug addicts). Among others, a proportion of youth have dangerous behaviors in this regard. Public health leaders as well as those in the social, educational and political fields must adopt a clear stance encouraging the practice of this preventive measure which, literally, can save one's life.