[Health policy considerations on the AIDS problems and risks in surgery].

Many physicians are afraid of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from their patients, especially surgeons. In medieval times, it was common for physicians to abandon their patients during epidemics (particularly plague) and to leave the cities. Today, strict hygienic practice protects medical personnel from HIV infection. Routine HIV screening of patients and medical personnel is thus not necessary. Instead, those involved (patients, medical personnel, hospital administrators, policy makers) should act responsibly.