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AIDS: We Can't Cure But We Can Prevent

© Neal Rolfe Chamberlain

December 1, 1998 was World AIDS Day. Over 30 million people in the world have AIDS. This disease is caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This infection can NOT be cured with the treatments used today. However, infections can be prevented. In one generation this disease could be eliminated from the face of the earth by PREVENTION!

How do you prevent yourself from getting infected with the HIV virus? Glad you asked. The Centers for Disease Control has some absolutely wonderful information about HIV and AIDS. Here are a few links you will find very informative.

1. HIV-AIDS prevention Excellent information.
2. I especially liked the Frequently Asked Questions section. Just a few of the questions this section has answers on.
• What is HIV?
• What is AIDS and what causes AIDS?
• Where did HIV come from?
• How is HIV passed from one person to another?
• Can I get HIV from getting a tattoo or body piercing?
• Can I get HIV from open-mouth kissing?
• Can I get HIV from kissing on the cheek?
• Why is injecting drugs a risk for HIV infection?
3. Basic statistics: for the United States.

The good information is already out there. I just hope this will get you started looking in the right direction. Remember an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Since this disease is deadly and can't be cured we definately need to know how to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this infection.

Other good sources of HIV/AIDS information:
The Body: An AIDS and HIV information resource
A fact of the Day from this site: One-third of child prostitutes in Asia are HIV-positive. (UPI)
HIV InSite Prevention page.

Take Care and Think Microbiologically!

Last week's poll: Virus Knowledge: Which of the following is true concerning viruses?
Potential answers and how you responded.

1. Viruses multiply on their own. (0 percent)
2. Viruses rely on other cells to multiply. (100 percent)
3. Every virus can cause disease in humans.(0 percent)
4. Viruses can not infect bacteria. (0 percent)

EXCELLENT job! The correct answer is: Viruses rely on other cells to multiply!

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