THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604170010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Patricia Benson's ``Correct HIV misinformation'' (letter, April 8) states that the Virginia Beach 1996 Parent Guide contains ``misinformation'' concerning the AIDS virus passing through condoms. She further contends that the guide does not cite studies/references to support its information.
I worked for 35 years as a medical technician/technologist in hospitals and public-health laboratories. After AIDS emerged, we lab workers knew we would cut the odds of infection by wearing latex gloves. However, we were trained professionals with other means of protection, i.e., knowledge of universal precautions, bench-side anti-viral solutions and all the gloves we wanted to wear when handling specimens. We also knew that latex is a porous, man-made product which is subject to possible flaws in manufacture.
To my knowledge, the only ``intact latex-rubber condom'' is unopened and still in its package, just as latex gloves lie intact when they're still in boxes.
The AIDS virus is so small it cannot be seen with hospital microscopes I`ve used to diagnose bacterial infections or blood disorders, such as anemia. Its size is so much smaller than bacteria, it can be seen only with an electron microscope. Latex ``protection'' can lessen the dosage (numbers) of viral particles transferred during sexual activity. If the infection is low-grade, there will be some occasions when no virus is transferred, but not every time.
The Virginia Beach school system should be commended for printing the whole truth about exposure to this virus. Informing parents and children of possible deadly consequences in reckless sexual behavior is every educator's responsibility. Complete information can lead only to wiser choices, for this is education.
PATRICIA STULTZ
Norfolk, April 11, 1996 by CNB