Matt.Stanley@f201.n221.z1.fidonet.org (Matt Stanley) (08/27/90)
I was wondering if anybody had any statistics on AIDS, such as what are the
chances of getting it (e.g., 1 in 10, 1 in 100,000, etc..)? And what is the
life-expectancy of a person with AIDS?
I heard that there was a person cured of AIDS by warming his blood
temperature? Is this true? Any other developments that are very close to a
cure for AIDS?
Thanks alot for any help!
Matt.
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Internet: Matt.Stanley@f201.n221.z1.fidonet.orgWounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (Wounded Bird) (08/29/90)
> I was wondering if anybody had any statistics on AIDS, such as what are the >chances of getting it (e.g., 1 in 10, 1 in 100,000, etc..)? Statistical probability of getting AIDS is highly dependant upon the type of activity you engage in (sexual or use of contaminated hyperdermic needles (both accidentally or through ignorance). In the absence of "high risk activity" the probabilities are most likely too small to measure and in the presence of that type of activity, pretty damned good <grin>. One in 200 has been published for contaminated needle sticks and unprotected anal intercourse. >What is the life-expectancy of a person with AIDS? This varies considerably and it is not meaningful to come up with an average. Life expectancy for those with diminished immune systems is highly dependant on the disease, parasite or organism (opportunistic infection) that is present in the body or to which one may become exposed to. It is dependant upon the individuals' tolerance of highly toxic medications as well as the availability of a medication that will fight the disease or organism in the absence of an immune system. It is complicated by the problems of multiple, concurrent infections and the interactions in the human body of multiple medications required to deal with them. And, most importantly it is highly dependant upon the individual's access to an enlightened medical community. Aerosol Pentamadine has increased the life expectancy of many PWAs who have access to it by controlling Pneumocystis (statistically the biggest killer in the past) but there are hundreds of organisms waiting in line to attack the human body. We have NO effective treatments for many of them simply because the immune system has taken care of them in the past and medicine has not had to deal much with them. Sorry, but we are not anywhere near a point where AIDS can be controlled like Diabetes (I got that one also). Unlike that disease which has a single effect (loss of insulin production) and simple maintenance (take either oral or injected insulin), HIV infects various tissues/cells and allows multiple diseases to do "their thing". It also can directly impair the proper functioning of brain cells and the central nervous system. It also multiplies faster in cells which are infected by other viruses. > I heard that there was a person cured of AIDS by warming his blood >temperature? Is this true? No! What you heard was that a man had his Kaposi's Sarcoma (cancer) apparently go into full remission and that he tested negative several months later for HIV antibodies. This does not in any way indicate that his cells (contained in his brain, skin, spleen, bone marrow, etc.) no longer contain the HIV viral protein. See other recent posts concerning antibody tests and seroconversion. I suspect (and I am not qualified to suspect anything) that he may have reverted back to a pre AIDS status where the HIV virus is present but is not currently active. Many of us would settle for that if the treatment weren't so dangerous AND expensive. > Any other developments that are very close to a >cure for AIDS? I am not aware of any. Sorry. Both the antivirals DDi AND DDc have side effects that, although different from AZT are equally dangerous. These include damage to the liver (DDc) and pancreas (DDi) as well as severe peripheral neuropathy. In Miami, useage of DDi was required to be withdrawn in over 2/3 of those taking the drug for "various" medical reasons. (That is according to the Dade County Coalition - a gay and pwa advocacy group) Matt, even knowing all of the above and being a PWA, I have not thrown in the towel. We all need to hang in there as best we can and while we are hangin around give a hand to those that aren't faring as well as us! SEEN-BY: -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!135!38!Wounded.Bird Internet: Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org
David.Pierce@f370.n107.z1.fidonet.org (David Pierce) (08/29/90)
MS> I was wondering if anybody had any statistics on AIDS, such as what ar
MS> chances of getting it (e.g., 1 in 10, 1 in 100,000, etc..)? And what i
MS> life-expectancy of a person with AIDS?
Well I'm no expert on it.... but the AIDS statistics in NYC... is that
it's estimated that 1 out of every 4 homosexual men are either HIV
positive, or have AIDS.
There are other 'estimates', and actual statistics, that you should be
able to find in almost any paper (NY Times, etc), and in many magazines
or medical journals ... just check your local library.
People that are HIV positive have been known to live for over 9 years,
carrying the virus, with no ill effects. But most people, once
diagnosed as having AIDS, live for about a year or less. It depends on
the individual.
MS> I heard that there was a person cured of AIDS by warming his blood
MS> temperature? Is this true? Any other developments that are very close
MS> cure for AIDS?
There were two AIDS patients that had the treatment you are talking
about. I don't remember the name of the procedure. One of the patients
who was treated in the USA about 6 months ago, still has no trace of the
AIDS virus in his blood. This does not mean that he won't become HIV
positive again in the future. They aren't sure.
But yes, this is a real procedure, that involves heating the blood
outside of the body. However, it's VERY expensive... I believe I read
it costs over 30,000.
There was another patient treated in Mexico with the same procedure, but
he did not have the same results as the first patient in the USA.
I know of no other hopeful 'cures' of AIDS. There are some experimental
drugs, and still AZT.... but even with taking AZT, its only delaying
death. But many feel that while they're on AZT, another cure might be
found... and anything is possible. Someday there will probably be a
cure, but according to the scientists, they don't believe it will be
here for many years.
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