Prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases is based on education of at-risk persons, detection, effective diagnosis and treatment, and evaluation, treatment, and counseling of sex partners. The article presents guidelines for secondary prevention, discussing prevention methods, prevention messages, HIV prevention counseling, partner…

Though the risk of HIV transmission in sports is slight, physicians who treat active patients can encounter weighty legal issues. Mandatory testing, exclusion of HIV-positive athletes, and breaching of patient confidentiality can lead to lawsuits. Knowing the possible consequences can help physicians in setting effective, legal prevention…

The Safer Choices program, being tested in Texas and California, is a multicomponent program to change behaviors which lead to infection with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. Components include a School Health Promotion Council, curriculum and staff development activities, school environment activities implemented by peer…

Presents overview of medical aspects of human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1) disease. Addresses structure and replication of virus, current methods for detecting HIV-1 in infected persons, effects of the virus on immune system, and clinical course of HIV-1 disease. Emphasizes variable causes of progression through HIV-1 infection stages;…

Examines the social, biological, and political forces that changed the public policy conception of HIV/AIDS from an acute epidemic to a chronic illness. Provides an overview of the institutional and social responses to the disease. Discusses and defines characteristics of the chronic illness and plague models. (MJP)

This newsletter addresses managing the spread of communicable diseases in childhood settings as well as educational program concerns for children who are HIV infected. Noting that communicable diseases are a source of concern no matter how minor they might appear, the newsletter suggests that it is important for individuals who work with the…

A series of articles concerning various aspects of AIDS and the dilemmas it poses for U.S. society, culture, and government are presented, in this theme issue, e.g., "Introduction to the Issue" (K. Keniston); "Prospects for the Medical Control of the AIDS Epidemic" (W. Haseltine); "Social Policy: AIDS and Intravenous Drug Use" (N. Zinberg);…

This guide was developed to help local school districts review existing policies or establish new policies to address communicable diseases. Based on current scientific and medical information about the safety in allowing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected students and staff to remain at school, it contains a suggested policy for local…

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has become an increasing problem throughout the nation. Experts predict that there will have been 270,000 cases, including 179,000 deaths, by 1991. The disease has devastating psychosocial as well as physical effects. Neither preventive medicine nor a cure is anywhere in sight. Everyone needs to be…

Undergraduate students' educational needs concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the faculty role in AIDS education are discussed. Results of a study at the Ursinus College (Pennsylvania) campus to assess both knowledge of and attitudes toward AIDS are summarized. Seventy-three percent of the 141 Introductory Psychology students…

Claims that the United States' inadequate response to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) crisis was more related to structural problems in the country's health system than with politics and social mores. (TW)

The report is designed to inform members of college and university and administration governing boards about facts and issues surrounding acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) so that they may develop education and prevention programs for their institutions and ensure protection from accidental…

Contrasted are DNA viruses, RNA viruses, and RNA retroviruses. The structure, genome, and replication of retroviruses are discussed. The discovery, structure, and action of the HIV virus are described. A list of 17 references is included. (CW)

A study assessed the effectiveness of a weekly outpatient clinic for staging and triage of newly identified human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV)-infected patients on 21 medical residents' attitudes and knowledge regarding HIV patient care, as compared with 20 control students. Results indicated that the experience positively affected student…

A survey of 149 entering first-year medical residents concerning experiences with and knowledge of infection control investigated occurrence and patterns of accidental needle-sticking and reporting, student immunization for Hepatitis B, and instruction in universal precautions. It is concluded that students are at risk for needle-sticking, but…