[Epidemiology of HIV in Germany]

In many developing countries, HIV is predominantly distributed among heterosexuals. This has given rise to the concern that similar patterns are to be expected in Europe. The current publication discusses different methods for estimation of the number of people infected. The figures published for the first time 1988-1990 by the author (1,2) are refined and consequences are discussed. It is demonstrated that legalizing drugs may reduce the import of HIV into the heterosexual population and that using condoms and spermicides in the first three months of a partnership may prevent the spread of HIV, while anonymous unlinked testing (AUT) is neither necessary for assessing the spread of HIV nor can it provide reliable estimates within a reasonable period of time.