the AIDS hysteria GAY people, who have been tims, not
AIDS has been called the Gay Plague, linking it with the Black Death, the great bubonic plague and other horrendous epidemics of the past — even, biblicallly the plague of locusts and the wrath drome is a collection of signs and symptoms. These develop about 6 months to 4 years after contact in about 10% of people exposed to a virus which, tor the time being, has been labelled HILV II! (Human Tumorlike Virus III).
The remaining 90% of those who show signs of contact with the virus (i.e. have
specific to HILV develop no illness at all. phadenopathy) and a virus-like illness or what has been variously described as ex-
lymphademopathy syndrome. A very few of these develop to 'AIDS related complex" (ARC) which is equivalent to having more of the symptoms deteriorating. There is growing evidence to suggest that some may have been able to develop immunity as if they had been "vaccinated" against HTLV III.
The virus, which is one of a group of lente, or slow, viruses, is related to those found in other animals (horses) and is hought to have been present for a lon‹ ime in Central Africa. There it affects men ind women but its presence has only been recognised since the blood test for HTLI III antibodies has been available.
It seems to have been taken from Central Africa, via Haiti to US cities, chiefly to New York and San Francisco where, in a totally new envirnoment, the virus did very well and became more virulent. The chief
American cities, spread, has been gay clubs; those have, since 1978/9, suffered most are gay men who had receptive anal intercourse and large numbers of partners (some as many as 1,500 per year
he method of spread is now thought t
e mainly by blood via minor damage dur ing intercourse (the lining of the rectum being much more liable to damage during sex than for example the vaginal lining which is stronger and more like skin: hence the lower risk for women).
Semen may still be implicated but is no longer thought be of sun orime inter tance as the transmission route. body fluids have been found to have an-
Facts behind AMID the press frenzy over AIDS and wild scare stories from people (FBU
kespersons, ambulance unions, t
val College of Nursing) who oug to know better, one thing stands out -he lack of any concerted campaign to force the government to fund adequate research into curing and preventing it.
While hospital ancillary and laboratory staff are subjected to the full media hysteria over AIDS, they are not supplied with any serious factual information by management or by their union leaders. Instead, lab stait find specimens from suspected AIDS sufferers mixed up with routine work. Even the simplest steps towards education have not been taken. encouraging panic and confusion in the gay community, among health workers, and on a wide level across
A miserable £250.000 has been allocated to research: only recently has the Health Education Council Found to issuing dated Those of us who oppose this disease being used as a stick to beat the gay community must campaign for the fullest information, and for a crash programme of reesearch to conquer this pernicious disease. tibodies but not the virus itself. that occur with other viruses, e.g. ing, coughing or in saliva, urine or faces. of it city de hepathe law oder spread in the same way. Being in a room with a victim, drinking from the same glas: or kissing them is not sufficient. The ver
Cases
pre 1979
1979 10 1980 46 1981 252 1982 980 1983 2,643 1984 4,293 1985
Totals: 263
8.495 Socialist Viewpoint, No. 4, March 1985. Page 22
anyone which defence. cells and are dealt (which albicans) ed weight loss. coma may and Since Africa yet not excepted. There is no evidence of spread by means USA Deaths 8 211 696 1.594 1,456 (Jan only) 10 (to mid Feb) 66 4.077
haemophiliacs; or drug abusers who use needles (e.g. those addicted to heroin) or
who accidentally, ritually, or otherwise is exposed to blood infected with HTLV II virus particles.
Once in the blood stream, the virus attacks a certain kind of white blood cell
Tis responsible for recognising foreign material and switching on the immune mechanism to develop an effective
These white cells are called I Helper
Tone type of lymphocyte. Once they have been destroyed, the body s then prey to so called opportunistic in fections by organisms which normally are
with easily by the defence mechanisms and do not pose any threat. Typical examples are pneumocytis carenii
causes pneumonia), cryptococi (which cause diarrhoea), thrush (candida
Tand Herpes simplex. Another common feature is the development of a cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma, affecting the skin in such a way as to produce an inense purplish/brownish staining
The victim may experience diffculty in swallowing, persistant diarrhoea accompanied by profound fatigue, malaise and night sweats, and suffer sudden unexplain-
The spots of Kaposi's sarhave appeared and lymph glands, liver and spleen become tender
enlarged. Condition deteriorates, with a final overwhelming intection.
1978/9 about 8,500 cases have been reported from the USA. No reliable figures are available for the situation in
Abut Kaposi's sarcoma is widespread and its appearance is now firmly linked to HTLV cases, during the same period, have been reported in Europe, Of all cases 40-50% have died. the rise of new cases and deaths has been doubling every 6 months to 1 year with a possible reduction in the rate of rise only
70% of those affected in the US and Europe have been gay men, making them the highest risk as victims rather than the chief cause of AIDS as implied consistent-
There are sensible precautions to be
Gays can reduce risks of intection by restricting the numbers of partners they have; and restricting torms of intercourse
Britain Cases Deaths ! 4 3 18 13 35 16 50• 14 5 118 51
Peace campaign