Mandatory notification of HIV infection. Epidemiologic justifications and ethical questioning

: Since the appearance in May 1999 of the two decrees on the application of the law relative to the reinforcement of sanitation quality control established in July 1998, the disclosure of HIV infection "irregardless of the stage" has become mandatory. This is the first time that it is imposed that one must declare a serologic diagnosis, that is to say an infection in the asymptomatic stage. The sensitive nature of all of the information available on AIDS provides an explanation for the numerous contradictory reactions linked to this decision. We attempt to organise the arguments brought forth according to two approaches: 1) the epidemiological arguments that justify the compilation of the precise data thought to be necessary for the follow-up of the disease and for the implementation of well-targeted prevention actions; and 2) the ethical reservations concerning such an imposed measurement, as well as the questions related to anonymity and confidentiality.