ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 2, 1995 TAG: 9512030028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
Following are public health nurse Lee Wonson's answers to some basic questions about AIDS.
What is acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS?
A virus that is so small that millions could be contained in a space the size of a pen dot. The AIDS virus itself doesn't kill, but it makes the person susceptible to infections. Once a person has AIDS, which means the immune system is severely compromised, he or she generally begins to have periods of wellness followed by periods of illness, with the illnesses increasing in length as the years go by. The life span of a person with HIV is about a decade, although many new drugs are making it possible for AIDS victims to live longer. Exercise, proper diet and a generally healthy lifestyle also can help extend the life of an AIDS sufferer.
How is it transmitted?
Three ways: From a mother to a baby during pregnancy. By sexual contact where bodily fluids are exchanged. By sharing needles during drug use, tattooing or ear piercing, if infected blood is involved.
A cold virus is powerful. The AIDS virus is weak; it doesn't live on doorknobs and toilet seats as some viruses do.
Who gets AIDS?
The disease is especially prevalent among gay men and drug users. But of the 63 new cases of HIV infection diagnosed in Roanoke so far this year, 21 were females, the youngest 16 and the oldest 72. Cases of women infected by their sexual partners are increasing. So are cases involving young gay men, who might think AIDS is an "old man's" disease and are not protecting themselves.
Who should get a test for HIV or AIDS?
Any person who thinks he or she has been exposed. Tests are conducted by private doctors and clinics. Also, anyone can be tested anonymously each Monday at the Roanoke Health Department. It takes about two weeks for the results to come back there.
AIDS symptoms usually show up in a infected person within four to five years of exposure, but it can be much sooner, even months.
Why should a person get tested?
To get a clean bill of health, or to find out if she has HIV or AIDS so she can try to remain as healthy as possible and also protect partners from infection.
Where can a person find out about AIDS treatments?
From personal physicians, health departments or AIDS councils, such as the AIDS Council of Western Virginia in Roanoke (982-2437), or similar organizations in Abingdon (889-2441), Lynchburg (800-624-9245), Rocky Mount (489-6503), Radford (639-5881) and Martinsville (666-8149). Also, there is an AIDS Treatment Data Network that can be accessed by calling (800)734-7104 or via e-mail at AIDSTreatDaol.com. The network's home page address is Http://health.nyam.org:8000/public-html/network/index/html.
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