Ethical aspects in the care of patients with AIDS.

Over 91,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in United States, and it has been estimated that more than 1 million individuals are currently infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The disease is growing most rapidly among intravenous drug abusers and minority patients. This accentuates some medical and ethical problems. Chief among these are the availability of competent care for patients and the willingness of physicians to treat these patients, issues related to HIV testing and counseling, patients' rights regarding the extent of treatment that should be given and access to and participation in clinical trials.