"Right now in Michigan over 500 people are reported to have AIDS. And it's predicted that by 1991 there will be over 3600 cases. But AIDS doesn't have to affect you or someone you love. Today AIDS is no longer a matter of chance; it's now more a matter of choice. Because even though it can't be cure, AIDS can be prevented. By knowledge. By information. By the facts.AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. This virus weakens the body's immune system, making it incapable of fighting off disease. Technically, no one dies of AIDS--but of diseases like pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (an infection of the lungs) or Kaposi's sarcoma (a rare form of cancer). AIDS can affect anyone: Men or women. Gays or straights. Blacks, whites, Hispanics. The elderly or newborns.The AIDS virus is not airborne; it does not survive on surfaces; it is not passed by animals. You can only get AIDS by direct contact with infected human fluids--chiefly blood or semen.What are your chances of getting AIDS from sexual contact?If you are a heterosexual male, you can get AIDS from an infected female partner. Vaginal secretions may contain the AIDS virus, which can infect you through small openings in the skin.If you are a heterosexual female, the virus in an infected partner's semen can enter your bloodstream through even the smallest tear in the vaginal wall--or rectum wall, if you engage in anal sex.If you are a homosexual male, the virus can enter your bloodstream during anal sex with an infected partner. The rectum wall is very susceptible to tearing during sex, so you could be infected by both blood and semen.If you are a homosexual female, you can get AIDS through contact with an infected female partner's vaginal secretions.Because the virus exists in its most potent form in semen and in blood, sexual contact is one of the two major ways to contact AIDS.This means that people with multiple male and female sex partners, men who have sex with prostitutes and men who have sexual contact with other men are at high risk for AIDS. (High risk individuals should always use a condom when having sex. A spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 may add extra protection--researchers believe it may help destroy the AIDS virus.)Conversely, if you have no sexual contact or are in a completely monogamous relationship, you are at no or very low risk for AIDS. But because symptoms of AIDS can take years after infection to appear, abstinence or fidelity is no protection unless it has lasted eight years.What are your chances of getting AIDS from drugs?Intravenous drug users who share unsterilized needles are extremely vulnerable. A trace of AIDS-infected blood on a needle or inside the syringe can pass the virus directly into the bloodstream. The user isn't the only one at risk; so is his or her sex partner. This is a major way AIDS is spreading to heterosexuals...and to newborns. Also many prostitutes use needles themselves or have sex partners who shoot drugs.What are your child's chances of getting AIDS?Because doctors are so far from finding a vaccine, the risk of infection is likely to increase before it decreases. So your children will grow up in a society increasingly affected by AIDS. The way to protect them is through education. When they're old enough for the facts of life, they're old enough for the facts of AIDS. Teach them that abstinence from sex is their best protection; but also tell them to use condoms if they do have sex. Teach them that experimenting with drugs can not only ruin their lives, it can kill them.Their first time with intravenous drugs is when they're most likely to share a needle which may be contaminated with AIDS. Besides teaching your children caution, also teach them compassion for people with AIDS. But by all means, teach them.Where should you go for help or more information?If you think you have AIDS, or you want to make sure you don't, see a doctor or your health department for counseling or testing. If you don't know who or where to call, the AIDS HOTLINE 1-800-872-AIDS can help. If you want specific information by phone or by mail for yourself, a friend or your children, call the same numberThe call is free and absolutely confidential. The information you'll get is your best defense. The more you learn about AIDS, the more you reduce your chance of getting AIDS. Tonight. Tomorrow. Or ever.The myths· You can get AIDS from mosquitoes.· You can get AIDS from giving blood.· You can get AIDS from a blood transfusion.· You can get AIDS from a toilet seat or swimming pool.The truth· There are no known cases of AIDS caused by mosquito bites. If mosquitoes could transmit AIDS, more children and older adults would have AIDS.· Several years ago it was possible to get the AIDS virus by receiving a transfusion of infected blood. Because all blood donations are now screened for the virus, the possibility of getting AIDS from a transfusion is now virtually non-existent.· Needles and equipment used by doctors, nurses, medical technicians are always sterile. So giving blood, taking a blood test, or getting a shot cannot pass AIDS.· The AIDS virus is passed through direct contact with fresh semen or blood. The chlorine in most pools would kill the virus, as would exposure to air. There are no known cases of AIDS infection in these ways.The questions1. What are the symptoms of AIDS?2. Can AIDS be passed on by kissing?3. Can you get infected through ear-piercing or electrolysis or sharing a razor? What about tattooing?4. Can you get AIDS from someone you work with or go to school with?5. How long will it be before there's a cure?6. Does insurance cover AIDS?7. What's the State doing about AIDS?The answers1. Many people infected with the AIDS virus show no symptoms. When there are symptoms, the most common are:· persistent cough and fever· shortness of breath· purplish blotches or bumps on skin· unexplained weight loss· extreme fatigue· swollen glands in neck, armpits or groin2. Although traces of the AIDS virus have been found in saliva, there are no known cases of AIDS caused by kissing, spitting, biting or any other contact with saliva.3. There is a very remote possibility of getting AIDS during these cosmetic procedures, but only if the equipment has not been sterilized and it has just been used by an infected person.4. If you have sexual contact or contact with the person's blood, yes. Otherwise AIDS is very difficult to pass on. This disease is horrible enough; don't make it uglier by spreading fear. Learn the facts and spread those instead.5. Unfortunately, doctors are far from finding a cure which will restore the immune system damaged by the AIDS virus. Most agree it will take at least five to ten years before a vaccine is available. But, there are experimental drugs that show limited success in prolonging life.6. Insurance generally covers medical care needed by persons with AIDS. However, most insurance policies do set limits for coverage.The State Health Department has launched an extensive education and prevention program including counseling and testing. All local health departments are also involved. All health workers are being educated on AIDS prevention. Schools have been given a curriculum for AIDS education including videos. There is a toll free 800 number to call for confidential help and information, brochures and pamphlets."
