Discussions of individual freedom and related issues are of no interest for most infectious diseases, but they are an issue for AIDS. In the United States, all discussions and actions related to AIDS are influenced by three facts: 1) the disease's mysteriousness to most people, 2) the near certainty of death from the disease, and 3) the transmission of AIDS by behaviors that most people do not do or approve. This mystery, fear, and rejection mean that the diagnosis of AIDS bears a stigma, leading to ostracism and consequences in employment, housing, and other areas. The unjust treatment underscores the need for confidentially with test results and diagnoses. In addition, any kind of universal compulsory test for AIDS would be inappropriate. Testing, quarantine, use of identity cards, compulsory contact tracing, and public recording of the identity of people infected with HIV are all measures that will not in themselves contain the epidemic. Nevertherless, mandatory testing is appropriate for recruits and members of the armed forces. However, premarital testing is expensive and would not contain the epidemic.