Surgical care of the HIV-infected patient: a moral imperative.

An increasing number of HIV-infected patients require surgical care. Many surgeons, regardless of their venue of practice, would prefer not to treat HIV-infected patients. The reasons for this attitude differ from individual to individual but include the fear of contracting an incurable fatal illness, a desire to avoid interaction with homosexuals and intravenous drug users, and fears that occupationally acquired HIV infection would result in restriction of clinical privileges and loss of income. At the same time, many individuals, institutions, and professional organizations have affirmed the obligation of all healthcare workers, including surgeons, to care for patients without regard to their HIV status. This article explores the nature of this obligation from the perspective of a clinical surgeon working in an inner city hospital.