An HIV-Infected Psychiatric Patient: Some Clinicolegal Dilemmas

Abstract

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) crisis has raised many clinical and forensic dilemmas for the health-care system. Psychiatrists may encounter particular problems when evaluating and treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. The authors present a case of an HIV seropositive, bipolar, Intravenous drug abusing patient who participates in unsafe sexual practices to illustrate clinicolegal dilemmas involving dangerousness, involuntary hospitalization, confidentiality, and Tarasoff-like duty.