werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner) (11/07/86)
<> 2a3 > 4,5c5,7 < 16,458 persons (16,227 adults and 231 children), with 8,361 (51% of the adults < and 59% of the children) deaths as of Jan 13, 1986. 71% of the patients --- > 26,566 persons with 14,977 deaths as of Oct. 20, 1986. Similar figures as > of Jan 13, 1986 were 16,458 persons (16,227 adults and 231 children), with > 8,361 (51% of the adults and 59% of the children). 71% of the patients 7,10c9,15 < In the first 37 weeks (Jan 1 - Sept. 17, 1986) of this year, 8,781 new < cases were reported (compared to 5,432 in the similar period last year). < In perspective, there were 612,692 (622,293) reported cases of < Gonnorhea, 18,283 (18,832) cases of Syphillis, and 15,394 (15,036) cases --- > A revised definition of AIDS recently proposed would increase the > number of cases to over 30,000 by reclassifying some patients currently > diagnosed as having AIDS-related complex (ARC). > In the first 42 weeks (Jan 1 - Oct. 18, 1986) of this year, 10,474 new > cases were reported (compared to 6,433 in the similar period last year). > In perspective, there were 713,742 (716,749) reported cases of > Gonnorhea, 21,253 (21,740) cases of Syphillis, and 15,394 (15,036) cases 24a30,35 > The recently published Surgeon General's report is available > free from the Public Health Service by writing: > AIDS > Box 14252 > Washington DC 20044 > 39a51,57 > The actual diagnosis of AIDS is made according to a very strict > case definition set up by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Evidence > of infection and illness not meeting the strict case definition is called > AIDS-related complex (ARC). Assymptomatic infection is also possible. > It is not clear at this time what percentage of each group will progess, > however, once the diagnosis of full-blown AIDS is made, the mortality > approaches 100% by 5 years after diagnosis. 45a64,67 > It is also known that virtually all AIDS patients, if they live > long enough will develop changes in mental status. In most cases, these > are due to opportunistic infections of the nervous system. However, in > some cases it is due to a direct CNS infection by the virus itself. 59d80 < [See accompanying article: 'Focus: AIDS and Africa', Oct. 86 only] 93a115,120 > Numbers may not add up to 100% due to incomplete reporting. > Blacks and Hispanics accounted for 23% and 14% of the male cases, > respectively, but 51% and 21% of the female cases. The relative risk > for Black and Hispanic women is 13.3 and 11.1 times higher than for > white women. The cumulative incidence among Blacks and Hispanics is > 3 times as much as their proportional population. 99,102c126,130 < parenteral (*) transmission, celibacy and avoidance of IV drug use will < efectively reduce one's chance of contracting AIDS to near Zero, < especially since blood products are now screened for contamination. < Given the general unpopularity of complete celibacy, the use of --- > parenteral (Blood and body fluid, includes IV drug use) transmission, > celibacy and avoidance of IV drug use will efectively reduce one's > chance of contracting AIDS to near Zero, especially since blood > products are now screened for contamination. > Given the general unpopularity of complete celibacy, the use of 112,124c140,141 < sex with a male homosexual/bisexual since 1977, contact your local < Red Cross to become a blood donor. < < (*) parenteral: defined as 'not by mouth', i.e., related to blood and < other body fluids. Example: Intravenous drugs. < It has nothing to do with parentage (that's 'parental') < < < [I am grateful for comments from Barry Hayes, Steve Dyer, Mike Lipsie, < hokey@plus5, Alan J. Rosenthal, James Van Artsdalen, Joseph Yao, < Peter Rubin, bam@bigbang, tim@uw-nsr, and Henry Mensch.] < [Also Andrew Klossner, Gary Cottrell, Matt Crawford, Stephen Hutchison, < and Jerry Natowitz for suggestions and corrections.] --- > sex with a male homosexual/bisexual since 1977, and have not engaged in > prostitution, contact your local Red Cross to become a blood donor. -- Craig Werner (MD/PhD '91) !philabs!aecom!werner (1935-14E Eastchester Rd., Bronx NY 10461, 212-931-2517) "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day."