Facts on Aids

Facts On AIDS


  Cases of AIDS have been reported in 85 countries.   It is estimated between 5
and 10 million people around the world now carry the AIDS virus and that as many
as 100 million will become infected over the next 10 years.

How can you become infected?

1. sexual intercourse
    a) vaginal
    b) anal
    c) oral

    Having another sexually transmitted disease such as syphilis, herpes or
    gonorrhea appears to make   someone more susceptible to acquiring HIV
    infection during sex with an infected partner

2. blood transfusions - since November 1985 in Canada all blood and blood
products are tested for HIV antibodies

3. infection drug users by sharing needles or syringes with someone already
infected

4. during pregnancy, at birth or through breast feeding, an infected mother can
pall the virus to her child

How you cannot become infected:

1. sitting next to someone 2. touching or shaking hands 3. eating in a
restaurant 4. sharing food, plates, cups or utensils 5. using bathrooms, water
coolers, or telephones 6. swimming in a pool or using a hot tub 7. donating
blood 8. being bitten by mosquitoes or any other insects

Symptoms:

Symptoms may not show for 10 years after you become infected by the HIV virus.
A month or two after exposure to the virus there may be flu-like symptoms that
may last a week to a month and is often mistaken for those of another viral
infections. More persistent or severe symptoms that may not surface for a
decade or more: - swollen lymph glands - recurrent fever, including "night
sweats" - rapid weight loss for no apparent reason - constant fatigue - diarrhea
and diminished appetite - white spots or unusual blemishes in the mouth

Prevention:

1. abstain for sex 2.have protected sex with latex condoms whenever having anal,
oral or vaginal sex 3. limit number of partners 4. do not share needles

  It is important to educate children for many reasons: 1. to reduce their
fears about disease 2. to help delay the beginning... [continues]

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