THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604130008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 26 lines
Patricia Benson states ``The (HIV) virus does not pass through an intact latex rubber condom'' (letter, April 8). While I believe Ms. Benson has the best intentions, her well-meaning letter was in itself inaccurate. While latex condoms are the best protection to date, they are not foolproof. Dr. Ronald F. Carey, a researcher for the FDA, tested 89 condoms purchased in retail stores. Carey found that ``leakage of HIV-sized particles . . . was detectable for as many as 29 of 89 condoms'' in quantities sufficient to cause HIV infection. Dr. Susan Weller of the University of Texas conducted her own research and concluded that latex condoms have an average failure rate of 31 percent in protecting against HIV.
LINDA EBERT
Suffolk, April 9, 1996 by CNB