AIDS

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Now that you know how the immune system works, we'd like to show you something that attacks it.

The AIDS virus.
FROM AIDS:HOW IT WORKS IN THE BODY

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Defieciency Syndrome. The AIDS virus, HIV (Human Immunodefiency Virus), attacks your T-cells. That may not sound like much, but if you would get sick when you had no T-cells, it could kill you. But don't worry. Before A IDS can do damage it has to get into your bloodstream. This can be done in 3 ways:

• through blood

  If you share contaminated needles like used drug syringes or tattoo needles, it could happen. There's also a chance through careless blood transfusions, which normally don't happen anymore. Also, if you come in contact with infected blood there may be a risk.

• through sexual intercourse

  If you don't get it, ask your parents.

• from mothers to their babies

  50% of infected mothers give birth to infected babies.

These are the only known ways to get AIDS. You CANNOT get it through casual contact. You can be in the pool with somebody, you can hug them, whatever. They're not going to sneeze on you and "poof" you have AIDS.

If you think you might have AIDS, first try to determine if you've ever been at risk. You may have some of these symptoms.

• fever
• weight loss
• night sweats
• cough
• frequent diarrhea
• swolen glands in the neck, under the arms, or in the groin
• constant tiredness
• unusual white spots
• sores on the tougue

Many times if you have these symptoms it can be explained by something entirely different, but still, if you want to avoid this icky stuff, stay away from these things:

• drugs
• sharing needles
• sex

If you want more details or have questions, you can call the National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-2437. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you're hearing impaired, call 1-800-243-7879. You can reach someone Monday through Friday, 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. If you aren't in the United States, check out What You Can Do to Avoid AIDS by Ma gic Johnson. It has more places you can reach.

If you still doubt us, here are some statistics that might convince you. For example, Americans are diagnosed with AIDS at a rate of one every fifteen minutes. AIDS is the 7th cause of death for Americans between 15 and 24. In 1992, the number of case s of AIDS reported by continent are as follows: North America, 1 million; South America, 1 million; Europe, 500,000; Asia, 1 million; Australia, 30,000; Africa, 7 million. Are you convinced yet?

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