States may require or permit physicians to inform the sexual partners of HIV-infected persons when the infected persons will not do so themselves. The fear that such notification would prevent people from seeking HIV testing or counseling may be mitigated by the appearance of effective treatments for asymptomatic carriers. Nevertheless, physicians must try to maintain the trust of infected persons and their partners. In addition, the use of natural helpers and support groups should help women in high-risk categories to accept testing and, if uninfected, to practice safer sex. Outreach programs and interventions at health clinics may be particularly beneficial. Furthermore, as treatments improve, the rationale for nondirective counseling regarding pregnancy for infected women will become stronger. Use of these and other preventive approaches may help withstand future pressures for more coercive approaches to preventing pediatric AIDS. 89 references.