Children at school and problems related to AIDS.

  • Department of Education and Science
Date:
1986]
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Children at school and problems related to AIDS. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    MODE OF SPREAD 1. As in many virus diseases, infection with Human-T-Lymphotropic Virus Type IIl/Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus (HTLV-III/LAV) has a wide spectrum of clinical expressions. Most infected people presence of virus antibodies in their blood. A minority are severely affected and develop AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and then succumb to infections which take advantage of the resulting lowered immunity of the body. It is important to point out that the majority of individuals infected with HTLV-III/LAV, although they show no symptoms and may never develop AIDS, are carriers of the virus, and, in certain circumstances described in paragraph 3 below, may transmit it to other people. 2. The first case of AIDS in the UK was reported in 1981. At present the number of cases which have been reported to the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre is small, although the number of people who have been exposed to the virus is thought to be significantly greater. Over the next few years, new cases of AIDS and AIDS-related conditions will arise out of those already infected with HTLV-III/LAV. Recent studies in the United States of America would suggest that in adults about 10 per cent of such carriers have gone on to develop the full blown AIDS but in people who have haemophilia the figure would seem to be very much smaller. 3. HTLV-III/LAV is transmitted principally by: @ sexual intercourse with an infected person — predominantly between male homosexuals; e the transfusion or inoculation of infected blood and blood products; e the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes among injecting drug misusers. 4. There is no evidence to date that there is a risk of transmission of infection from: @ normal social contact: e@ airborne droplets from coughing and sneezing; e sharing washing or toilet facilities; e sharing eating and drinking utensils; e living in the same house. Although the virus has been isolated in saliva and tears there is no documented evidence of the spread of infection from these
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