HIV infection, spread virtually all over the world, is still misreported locally because of technical and geopolitical factors. HIV is transmitted through blood, sex and birth (from infected mother to the newborn). The diffusion of this infection follows three distinct patterns: in Italy the disease affects mainly intravenous drug addicts (68% of cases) and male homo/bisexuals (16%), even though a growing number of patients claims as unique risk behavior sexual intercourse with allegedly infected partners. Furthermore a real danger of acquiring HIV is represented, for health care persons, by the workplace. So far three cases of professionally acquired infection have been reported in Italy. A better definition and implementation of safe procedures in health care situations are warranted to reduce this risk.