Amiga ISO Collection/AmigaDemoCD2.iso/ASCII/TEXTE/SEX/ADULTSHARE/A/AIDSINFO.TXT

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                          AIDS AND SAFE SEX
                            by Pat Morgan

WHAT IS AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

When a person is diagnosed as having AIDS, they are actually in the
final stages of an infection by a virus which has resulted in the
destruction or near destruction of the body's immune system. In this
stage, the person is unable to produce enough of a particular cell
subset which is needed to fight certain life threatening opportunistic
infections.

The accepted cause of AIDS is a virus which is known as the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus attacks certain types cells of
the body which have on their outer surface receptor sites (CD-4) that
enable the virus to latch on. When this happens, the virus is able to
enter the cell that it has latched onto and inject its genetic material
into the cell causing the cell to turn into a mini-virus replication
factory. At the same time, CD-4 receptor sites which have been infected
by glycoprotein 160, are the targets in auto immune reaction by the
body. At this point, T-4 cells drop in number, and the immune system is
in chaos.

As the virus enters these cells, the cells are no longer able to fight
infection and eventually they die. When such cells are no longer
functional, they wreak havoc on the body. Diseases which were formerly
under control, may no longer be under control. Such infections which are
known as opportunistic infections, are the cause of death in people with
AIDS. When their body needs those cells which are no longer available to
fight, a person succumbs to the infection. The cause of death: an
opportunistic infection resulting from the destruction of the immune
system as caused by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. People do not
die of AIDS; they die from complications arising from the opportunistic
infections which have struck.

Infection with HIV is considered to be lifelong. HIV is communicable
which means there are specific ways in which a person can be infected with
HIV.

1.  Through sexual intercourse where the protection (condom and/or
spermicide) fails, or where there isn't any protection used. Intercourse
may be vaginal or anal. The possibility of HIV being transmitted through
cunnilingus or fellatio (oral sex) should also be considered.

2.  Through the sharing of IV needles which have not been sterilized. This
is the most common way AIDS is transmitted through IV drug abuse.

3.  Through blood products or blood for transfusion purposes which has not
been tested, or where a test is unable to detect latent antibodies. This
incidence is rare in this country, but in some countries, blood and
blood products are not tested.

4.  From the mother to her unborn child during fetal stages, or through
childbirth.

5.  From the mother to her born child by breast feeding the child.

These are the recognized ways that AIDS is transmitted as reported by
the Centers for Disease Control. AIDS is not transmitted through casual
contact. AIDS is not transmitted through insect or animal bites.

There is no need to fear a person who has AIDS or who carries the virus.
You may shake their hand, hold them, hug them, embrace them without fear
of contracting the virus. Unless you take part in one of the activities
listed above or receive tainted blood products or blood, your chances of
contracting the virus are incredibly close to zero.

A person with AIDS or a person who carries the virus, should not be
discriminated against. Remember, until the diagnosis is made, anyone can
be a person with AIDS or be a carrier of the virus. If you know someone
who falls into this category, they are going to need you to help cope
with the future, to be there for them. We may not be able to cure AIDS, but
we can heal using love, care, compassion and education. Declare war on
the virus itself, not on people.



GUILDELINES FOR PROTECTION

Lesbians are not immune from AIDS. There are 9 known cases of woman to
woman transmission of HIV.

HIV is found in large amounts in cervical muscousa and menstrual blood.

At the present the Centers for Disease Control do not have accurate
records on Lesbians and AIDS. Women are routinely excluded from drug
trials across the country. A woman must undergo sterilization in order
to enter an FDA approved drug trial. There was one drug trial that
permitted women to enter. The Ampligen drug trial was halted when the
drug was shown to be ineffective against the development of the
opportunistic infections which define AIDS. For that trial, out of 300
participants, 20 were female.

Lesbians have been told over and over again that they are a low risk
group. There is no such thing as a low risk group. Just people involved
in behavior which places them more at risk for the transmission of HIV.
Behavior can be modified which can reduce the chances for the
transmission of HIV. Safer sex and cleaning needles will curtail the
rate of transmission of HIV.


Lesbians often ask if they are at risk for AIDS. The answer is yes if
certain behavior is practiced which places them at risk. Such risk is
sexual relations with individuals who are positive for antibodies to
HIV. Another risk is through the sharing of needles which are not
sterilized. The last is through the receiving of blood or blood products
which has HIV in it. But this risk is extremely low since blood in the
United States and most countries are tested for HIV.

We can protect ourselves by not being afraid to discuss our sexuality
and the need for knowlege concerning sexually transmitted diseases and
AIDS. We have to practice the advice given which cuts down on the
transmission of such infections. Through trust and support, each of us
can work together and have enjoyable, less risky sexual fun and games.

1.  HIV is transmitted through blood, semen (cum) and vaginal secretions
including menstrual blood. Play it safe, do not let these fluids enter
you or your partner's body through the mouth, vagina (cunt), anus (ass),
penis (cock) or cuts in skin. The is no evidence that HIV is transmitted
through saliva, sweat, tears, urine. Since feces (shit) can contain
blood, consider contact with feces risky.

2.  For lesbians considering pregnancy, make sure the sperm is checked
through a reliable lab for HIV. There are cases of women developing HIV
infection leading to AIDS through artificial insemination. There is also
risk for the fetus developing HIV infection.


There are many activities which are considered to be highly safe and
show a very low risk in the transmission of HIV.

1.  Body to Body rubbing
2.  Social (dry) kissing
3.  Hugging
4.  Voyeurism (look but don't touch!).
5.  Exhibitionism
6.  Fantasy
7.  Costumes
8.  Masturbation
9.  Finger penetration wearing surgical (latex) gloves or finger cots
    (individual finger gloves).
10. Individual vibrators or sex toys where a condom and lube are is used
    and discarded before th
11. Creative sex that does not exchange body fluids.

There are other actvities which are risky. Care and discretion must be
used when partaking in the following activities.

1.  French (wet, deep tongue) kissing
2.  Protected oral sex. (use a latex barrier such as a dental dam which
    placed between the vulva and the tounge). No studies have been done
    on the transmission of HIV and the protection given by dental dams.
    Right now this is all we have. Use spermicidal cream or jelly or
    best use a lube which contains nonoxynol 9. This spermicide inhibits
    HIV in the test-tube and has killed HIV in some cases. Be sure to
    wash the dental dam prior to use to get the powder which may be on
    the latex off. In addition, check the dental dam for tears or holes.
3.  Sexual intercouse with a male where a condom and spermicidal cream
    jelly is used which contains nonoxynol 9.
4.  Wash needles and cookers in 10 parts water and 1 part bleach at
    least 3 times prior to use. Do not share cotton or water. Do not
    inject or ingest the bleach/water mix. Do not use it for a douche.
    It is poisonous. Contact a poison control center if it is taken
    internally.
5.  A dental dam must be used during rimming. (placed between rectum and
    tounge). Rimming is not advisable. Besides the transmission of HIV,
    colonic parasites may be transmitted. Do not share the dental dam.
    Dispose after use.
6.  Finger to anus intercourse. Once again the opportunities for
    transmission of colonic parasites and HIV exists. Use rubber gloves
    or finger cots. Do not share the gloves. Dispose after use.
    Wash hands with soap and water to play it safe.


Some activities are considered unsafe. They pose a great risk for the
transmission of HIV. Use caution.

1.  Unprotected oral sex (especially without a dental dam) during
    menstruation. In addition unprotected oral sex during a vaginal
    infection poses a risk in transmitting candida, chlymadia and other
    venereal diseases.
2.  Unprotected rimming. (mouth to anus.)
3.  Unprotected hand and vaginal/anal contact. Minor cuts and abrasions
    on fingers or nails clipped or bitten short can be vectors for
    transmission of HIV. In addition, Candida (yeast) can easily hide
    under fingernails. Fungicides are needed to kill it. Soap and water
    will not do a complete job of killing the Candida.
4.  Any activity which can draw blood. (fisting especially without lube
    and rubber gloves.)
5.  Urine or feces in mouth, vagina or hands.
6.  Sharing of sex toys that have your partner's fluids on them.
7.  Sharing of needles, works, cookers, or any equiptment used for
    piercing or tatoos.


Finally, we can curtail the spread of HIV infection in our lifetime by
educating one another on the dangers and the truth concerning AIDS and
HIV infection. We have a responsibilty to future generations to give
them a better world. In America, women are the fastest growing group of
people with HIV infection and AIDS. AIDS is becoming the primary cause
of death for women 24-39 in many urban areas. Women of color make up the
majority of people diagnosed. Women cannot get into research programs
which enable to get treatment with experimental drugs. In New York City,
1 out of 61 babies born in 1988 was positive for antibodies to HIV. Most
children do not live past 5 years of age.

Quality health care for people with AIDS is difficult, it even more
difficult for women to obtain it. Housing and social services are scare
in some urban areas, it is more difficult in suburban and rural areas.
HIV does not discriminate. It can invade any host who does not use care
in their sexual relations and drug activities. Heal AIDS with love. Use
extreme care and practice safer sex when making love. Don't share
needles, remember to clean the old one.

Declare war on the virus, not people with AIDS.


DISCLAIMER
Please feel free to distribute this material. The sysops of the BBS
where this information is posted and the author do not take
responsibility for the content of this file. Nothing is 100 percent
safe. Even the safest activities where meticulous care is taken can
fail. Following the above guidelines and using care though will improve
the chances that HIV is not transmitted.


FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact your local health department or AIDS service organization.

Some useful phone numbers for information/assistance:

Public Health Service
1-800-342-AIDS

San Fransisco AIDS Foundation
415-864-4376

Shanti Project
415-777-CARE

People with AIDS Coalition
212-627-1810

Gay Men's Health Crisis
212-807-6655

Community Health Project
212-675-3559*
Denise Ribble R.N. works at the CHP. She is one of the top AIDS
educators in the country. She may have written the book on safer sex
for women.

Lesbian AIDS Project
415-864-8040

Health Education and Resource Organization (HERO)
301-685-1180

Centers for Disease Control
404-329-3311 ext. 3162*
Tell them you want them to start compiling statistics on Lesbians and
AIDS.

National Association for People with AIDS
202-347-1317


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Written by Pat Morgan
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