Conclusion

Partner notification is an important part of the public health management of HIV and nurses often play a key role.  The topic must be raised with all people who are diagnosed.  The aim is to reduce HIV transmission and to prevent unwanted sequelae in those who are found to have HIV infection but would not have sought testing without having been informed of the need to do so. (For more information on contact tracing see http://contacttracing.ashm.org.au)