ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the individuals, families, and populations at risk. Severity of the consequences of infection must be added to the risk equation. Personal control over risk is a very important factor in the equation. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is seen as an imposed risk, more similar to the risk of nuclear power plant meltdown than to smoking, for a number of reasons that may seem paradoxical. People with risk behaviors for sexually transmitted diseases, or a prior history of sexually transmitted disease are at higher risk for HIV disease. Orthopedic surgery is one of those hospital procedures with particular risk of infection. Increased vulnerability may result in risk-taking behaviors that are potentially self-destructive, inappropriately wagering with life and death. The perspective of prevention allows people to think about risk at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Prevention depends on the individual’s own risk assessment and willingness to change behavior.
