Laserfiche WebLink
A I D $ <br /> <br />A I D S <br /> <br />AIDS: what is currently understood <br /> <br />Awaylthougha mysterious disease in many <br /> AIDS <br /> , our scientists have learned a great deal about it. <br />In five years we know more about AIDS than many diseases <br />that we have studied for even longer periods. While there <br />is no vaccine or cure, the results from the health and <br />behavioral research community can only add to our know]- <br />edge and increase our understanding of the disease and <br />ways to prevent and treat it. <br />In spite of all that is known about transmission of the <br />AIDS virus, scientists will learn more. One possibility' is the <br /> <br />i, Virus enters <br /> white blood ceils, <br /> <br />2, Virus attacks <br />T cells and <br />multipli~, <br /> <br />3. T cell no longer <br /> stimulates <br /> (¢~ulaz) defer:sc <br /> <br />4. Immune <br /> system <br /> weakened. <br /> <br />$. Body su~e. eptible <br /> to "opportunistic <br /> <br />potential discovery of factors that may better explain the <br />:: ,,:hanism of AIDS infection. <br /> <br />lZ4-.y are the antibodiasproduced by the body to fight the <br />ALDS vim not able to destroy that virus? <br /> <br />The antibodies detected in the blood of carriers of the <br />AIDS vires are ineffective, at least when classic A.IDS is <br />actually triggered, They cannot check the damage caused <br />by the virus, which is by then present in large numbers <br />in the body. Researchers cannot explain this important <br />observation, We still do not know why the AIDS virus is <br />not destroyed by man's immune system, <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />AIDS no longer is the concern of any one segment of <br />society; it is the concern of us all No American's life is in <br />danger if he/she or their sexual partners do not engage <br />in high risk sexual behavior or use shared needles or <br />.Synnges to inject illicit drugs into the body, <br /> People who engage in high risk sexual behavior or who <br />shoot drugs are risking infection with the AIDS virus and <br />are risking their lives and the lives of othem, including <br />their unborn children. <br /> We cannot yet know the full impact of AIDS on our <br />society. From a clinical point of view, there may'be new <br />manifestations of AIDS-- for example, mental disturbances <br />due to the infection of the brain by the AIDS virus in <br />carriers of the virus. From a social point of view, it may <br />bring to an end the fi'ee.wheeling sexual lifestyle which has <br />been called the sexual revolution. Economically, the care of <br />AIDS patients wilt put a tremendous strain on our already <br />overburdened and costly health care delivery system. <br /> The most certain way to avoid getting the AIDS virus and <br />to control the AIDS epidemic in the United States is for <br />individuals to avoid promiscuous sexual practices, to main. <br />rain mutual~ Mthful monogamous sexual relationships <br />and to avoid injecting illicit drugs. <br /> <br />27 <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />! <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />! <br />I <br />I <br /> <br /> <br />