Report on infection-control guidelines for patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome

The Health Council of The Netherlands has issued an interim report on AIDS, consisting of a series of infection-control guidelines for hospital workers dealing with patients suffering from this disease. In general the same measures are recommended that are applied in patients with hepatitis B. Labelling of patient materials, single room versus multiple room nursing, reanimation procedures etc. are discussed in detail. The need for proper psychosocial care is stressed, as many of these patients tend to become isolated. The report advices caution and common sense, not fear and hysteria.