What are the dilemmas confronting a doctor in testing for an infection about which knowledge is still evolving? We heard from Professor Allain in the previous episode on how he was a 'good soldier' as he grappled with the problem of how to communicate results to his patients. In this epidode we take a deeper look at this essential aspect of clinical care. When a new test becomes available for a newly identified infection, how are medical responses shaped? What have we learnt from the 80s? Stay tuned for next Sunday's episode 'Decision time'.