Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Prevention better than cure
In the absence of an effective vaccine or therapy, education and
risk reduction remain the most powerful tools in the fight against AIDS. Because of the limited number of transmission routes, the further spread of AIDS could virtually be stopped by avoiding behaviors that place persons at risk. Education can help to achieve this, through development and dissemination of materials by local community groups, statewide organizations, and national governments. In 1988, for example, the U.S. Public Health Service produced a simple, straightforward brochure containing information about HIV infection and AIDS. The brochure was mailed to every household in the nation. Although behavior change is often very hard to achieve, studies have provided encouraging indications that such change is beginning to occur.
In March 1983 the major U.S. blood-banking organizations instituted
procedures to reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission by asking all individuals at increased risk of AIDS to stop
donating blood. They expanded
screening procedures to exclude anyone with a history of risk behavior for AIDS or symptoms suggestive of AIDS. In early 1985 blood banks began using a
test to screen blood directly for antibodies to HIV. The presence of antibodies, which generally takes weeks or months to develop, means that a person has been infected by the virus. It does not indicate whether that individual has or will
develop AIDS, although this is almost certain.
All blood intended for transfusion or the manufacture of blood products is now tested for the antibody. The procedure involves the use of the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) screening test, with confirmation of
positive results with a more specific test known as the Western Blot. Blood that tests positive is eliminated from the blood-donation pool. Tissue and organ banks use a similar process. The act of donating blood does not pose any risk of HIV infection, because sterile equipment is always used.
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