rob@ptsfa.UUCP (Rob Bernardo) (09/06/85)
Thanks, Ray, for a fine postings about AIDS and poppers and other recreational
drugs (posted in net.motss).
I read the NY Native article from which Ray reported some facts that
illustrate a connection with recreational drugs (esp. poppers) and AIDS.
The facts in the NY Native article carried a disclaimer (see below) that
renders them in my opinion inconclusive but highly suggestive of such a
connection:
Unfortunately, most of the published epidemiological studies of
gay men with AIDS were conducted several years ago, and had
serious shortcomings. ... In the absence of recent, large-scale,
well-conducted epidemiological studies, one may give a cautious
hearing to the less "scientific" evidence, such as reports from
those who have known many people with AIDS. Such evidence should
be evaluated critically, though it may [or may not] actually be
worth more than the quantitative "data" from a poorly executed
survey.
DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU DO NOT USE RECREATIONAL DRUGS OR HAVE STOPPED
USING RECREATIONAL DRUGS THAT YOU CAN AVOID OTHER PRECAUTIONS AGAINST AIDS.
I have heard many, too many gay men make a dangerous
decision on which AIDS precautions they will and won't adhere to based on
preliminary scientific findings, anecdotal information, scientific studies
heard second, third hand though non-medical media, etc.
Re: bruises and other red marks that make you paranoid about KS lesions.
Maybe someone with more medical knowledge can verify the following.
Whenever I see a red blemish on my body, my first reaction
is to think "Oh, god! KS!" But I have learned to check a few things
to keep myself calm.
- Press on the blemish. If the red goes away, it's not a KS
lesion. That's because KS lesions are similar to bruises.
The color produced by a bruise (or KS lesion) is
caused by blood that has seeped into damaged tissue and clotted.
Pressing on the skin will not drive blood out with bruises (and
KS lesions) as it does with other blemishes.
- A real bruise (not a KS lesion) heals rather quickly. It goes
from red (fresh blood in the tissue) to brown and soon fades away.
For me, a bruise very rarely lasts more than two days, and goes
through enough color change in one day to calm my frazzled nerves.
I believe KS lesions hardly ever go away without such treatment
as chemotherapy, and I believe they look a lot redder than your
typical bruise because the tissue is highly damaged and the
blood continues to seep into it.
P.S. Could all AIDS postings please be posted to net.motss and net.med?
--
Rob Bernardo, San Ramon, CA (415) 823-2417 {ihnp4|dual|qantel}!ptsfa!rob