ETHICAL ISSUES OF TREATING PATIENTS WITH AIDS IN A REHABILITATION SETTING

Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is frightening and fatal. The great fear of acquiring HIV magnifies ethical issues concerning patients an d health care workers. Practitioners in the field of rehabilitation me dicine will become increasingly aware of these issues, because at leas t 50% of patients with HIV-related illnesses develop neurological diso rders. Many will need physical, emotional, social, psychological or vo cational restoration. This article explores some of the ethical issues related to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) rehabilitation, including confidentiality, risk of exposure to infected patients or i nfected health care workers, treatment of patients and the rights of p atients and health care workers.