Although specific guidelines vary according to the context and the age of the infected person, the guidelines generally emphasize that a child's or youth's degree of involvement in such public programs should depend upon the patient's risk of infection and the risk of infection for those with whom the patient will interact. In most cases, the guidelines favor normative involvement of the AIDS patient, given the limited means by which the infection is transmitted. Also, the risk to the patient's health is generally outweighed by the benefits to be received from public educational programs. The guidelines emphasize the importance of educating all parties about AIDS, including the means of its transmission and prevention. The importance of confidentiality is also emphasized in the guidelines. 5 references.