Table 3.

Specific exclusion criteria

A clinically proven HIV infection

Men having homosexual intercourse after 1977

Intravenous medication/narcotics use, currently or in the past

Immigrants (after 1977) from countries of which it is known that heterosexual intercourse is an important factor for HIV transmission

Haemophilic patients administered with clotting factors concentrate

Sexual partners from abovementioned individuals

Men and women active in prostitution since 1977, and individuals being their partner in the past 6 months

Individuals who recently (past 6 months) placed a tattoo or piercing

Individuals who have had a blood transfusion before 1980

Individuals who have had a blood transfusion outside Europe or North America

Individuals who stayed in a SARS epidemic area or individuals who had face-to-face contact with a SARS patient