Acquired Immunal Deficiency
Syndrome is on the rise. Conversational Hypertext Access
Technology (Internet address: debra.doc.ca 3000) says
that since 1988 over 50,000 people in Canada alone have
been infected with the AIDS virus. These countries
reported high rates of infection during 1989: French
Guyana, Bermuda, Bahamas, Congo, Uganda, Barbados. You
may not think the AIDS virus sounds that hazardous.
Sure, if you're an average person who is very careful
when having sexual intercourse and/or blood
transfusions, you may not be affected. But as you go
about your daily life, keep in mind that over 1,670
deaths from AIDS occurred in 1987 in Canada.
Impoverished people can be
affected by AIDS, too. Amy Herr-Ross, a writer who
studied food stamp distribution, says that those who are
on food stamps cannot buy condoms because condoms are
not edible. This could cause a higher rate of infection
in homeless or impoverished people.
What is AIDS? It is a virus
that attacks the white blood cells in your body, making
your immune system weak and eventually unable to fight
any disease. In short, it is not AIDS that kills you,
it's any other virus that enters your depleted immune
system. A simple thing like a cold could be the
determining factor in your life. However, HIV could be
in your system for 10 years without doing a thing. AIDS
is a very unpredictable virus. CHAT says you can try to
protect yourself if you wear latex condoms--lambskin
condoms do not protect against HIV--and don't use dirty
needles. You can also check with your doctor when
getting a blood transfusion and find out if anything is
wrong. Keep aware of your personal health and you may
have a better chance of surviving AIDS.
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