Improvements In Aids Research

Barbara Peabody, author of The Screaming Room, parent of a young man who died from AIDS in 1984, and former P&A coordinator of our no longer funded AIDS project came back to P&A to update staff on the latest information on AIDS issues.

Barbara informed us that the AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) virus is fragile outside of the body and that transmission is not that easy, except for unprotected sex, unclean needle sharing, and blood to blood contact. Only 60 health workers have been infected from patients up through 1996, most infections directly related to needle pricks. Universal health precautions such as safe sex, washing hands, care with needles and transfusions are the best preventative measures.

There is still no cure for the virus; however, various "cocktails" made up of specific medication mixtures has dramatically decreased the "viral load" for 50-60% of HIV (Human Immuno Deficiency Virus) positive patients, prolonging many people's lives.HIV is the virus that causes the many symptoms of AIDS, a later stage in the condition.

HIV and AIDS patients are covered by the ADA (Americans with Disability Act) against discrimination and confidentiality violations.