The Forgotten 1990s Case That Still Haunts America

The article recounts the tragic and largely forgotten case of Kimberly Bergalis, a young woman who contracted HIV from her dentist in the early 1990s, sparking national debates on AIDS, medical ethics, and HIV testing policies. Her story highlighted the fears and stigmas of the AIDS epidemic, leading to proposed legislation and increased awareness, but also revealed the complexities and uncertainties surrounding HIV transmission and healthcare responsibilities. Despite her death and the controversy, no confirmed cases of healthcare worker-to-patient HIV transmission have been documented since.