Everyone talks about avoiding AIDS by being careful. But how?

Avoiding AIDS by Being careful


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QUESTION:  Everyone talks about avoiding AIDS by being careful.  But how?

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ANSWER:  The twin battle cries in the war against AIDS (acquired immune
deficiency syndrome) are "safe sex" and "education."  I am pleased you're
looking for education.  You can reduce your risk of contracting AIDS by being
careful and by taking sensible precautions and by learning more about the
disease.
     AIDS is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).  An infected person
can carry and pass on HIV for many years before showing the symptoms of the
clinical disease called AIDS.
     AIDS is a contagious disease, but it is not particularly contagious.
Unlike the common cold or flu, AIDS cannot be spread through social contact.
There are only four known ways AIDS can spread from one person to another:
through vaginal, anal, or oral sex; through sharing used needles to inject
drugs; from an infected woman to her baby during pregnancy or delivery; and
through transfusion of infected blood or blood components.
     In the six years since AIDS was first described, no cases have been
attributed to normal social contact.  There have been several cases of health
workers infected with AIDS through accidental injuries with infected needles
or prolonged contact with infected materials.
     Being careful does not mean avoiding social contact with someone you
suspect of having AIDS.  There is no risk in shaking hands, sharing meals, or
using the same office with someone with AIDS.  There is also no risk in
donating blood, since brand new sterile equipment is used for each donor.
     The best way to avoid AIDS is to abstain from sex.  For most human
beings, that is a hard choice.  The other best way is to have a mutually
monogamous relationship with someone you know is not infected.
     If you are not sure your partner is not infected, avoid contact with body
fluids, such as blood, semen, urine, saliva, or vaginal secretions.  To do
this, use condoms to reduce the possibility of transmitting the virus each and
every time you have sex.  Avoid such practices as anal intercourse,
oral-genital sex, and deep ("French") kissing.
     Having sex with multiple partners increases your risk of contracting the
AIDS virus (and other sexually transmitted diseases for that matter).  Using
illegal intravenous drugs also greatly increases risk.  IV drug users now make
up the majority of AIDS victims in many parts of the country.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.


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$Subject{sexual HIV STD sexually transmitted diseases AIDS acquired immune
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