By the end of 1986, 29,000 cases of AIDS had been reported to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The symptom complex for early case identification includes weight loss, chronic unexplained fever or diarrhea, oral candidiases (thrush), and generalized lymphadenopathy. New York State, California, and Florida have reported the greatest number of cases of AIDS, with the majority in four cities -- New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami. Current high risk groups include homosexual and bisexual men, intravenous (IV) drug abusers, hemophiliacs, recipients of contaminated blood transfusions, heterosexual contacts of persons with AIDS, and children. (Haitian immigrants were removed from this list in 1985 and placed in the 'other' category). Less than 2,000 cases of AIDS have occurred among women; more than half have a history of IV drug use. More than 74 percent of all homosexuals with AIDS are white, and approximately 80 percent of all heterosexual IV drug users with AIDS are nonwhite. Current estimates are that between 500,000 and 1,000,000 residents of the United States have already been infected with HIV, with incubation period lasting as long as 5 years. Related issues that must be addressed are school attendance of children with AIDS, occupational exposure of health care workers, and responsible counseling for those concerned about AIDS. 4 exhibits, 1 table, and 21 references.