The impact of HIV on a fertility problems clinic

This article describes the impact of the human immune-deficiency virus (HIV ) on clinical infertility practice. HIV is responsible for acquired immune- deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and first became apparent in 1979, but was not f ully recognised by clinicians and scientists until 1981. It is a new diseas e which now infects large numbers of humans, and there is the possibility t hat the virulence of the virus may change or mutations may render current t esting strategies ineffective. For these reasons, it is important to have a cautious and flexible approach to minimise risk to infertile couples and t o future children. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserv ed.