AIDS: the plateau?
Arya, S.C.
Health for the Millions 17(4): 12-14
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-8685 PMID: 12284223 Document Number: 315283
Noting the difficulty in changing sexually promiscuous behavior, the author examines the available treatments and preventive agents for AIDS. AIDS poses a serious health and economic threat to the world, considering that by the turn of the century, some 40-50 million people will be infected. Infection through sexual contact continues to increase at an alarming rate. 30% of all prostitutes in India are infected with the virus, and in Bombay, some 6000 men get infected through sexual contact with prostitutes every month. In some ways, the AIDS epidemic parallels the outbreak of syphilis in the later part of the 19th century. Despite the lack of cure for syphilis at this time, sexual behavior went unchanged. AIDS differs, however, in that the carriers of the disease can remain symptom free for up to 2-15 years or more. During this period, the HIV virus integrates itself into the host's genetic constitution, targeting the cells of the lymphoid cell system and cells situated in the mouth and genital linings, eventually destroying the immune system. The fields of immunology, virology, chemotherapy, and genetic engineering have made great strides in AIDS research. And despite of a high cost, the drug aziodothymidine (AZT) has succeeded in extending the lives of many patients. But a cure does not appear to be in the near future. Fortunately, condoms and spermicidal agents have been shown to protect against infection. The spermicidal agents Nonoxynol-9 and cycloheximide possess anti-HIV properties. Furthermore, another spermicide, cholorhexidine, can be used as a mouth wash to protect from infection after oral sex. Since history has shown the difficulty of changing sexual behavior, efforts should focus on preventing viral spread.