iV G Guest u est C Column 0 1 u m n 1 v H L v y t AI AIDS OS Is I s Not I t I Repeat Not Spread p By Casual Contact 1 By David Bell I 1 w t Most people do not realize that there has never been any evidence of transmission of Acquired red Immune Imm Immune Im Im- mune m mune ne Deficiency AIDS through everyday contact with a person who has the virus A. A lot of people alienate victims and avoid any casual contact with them s simply because of of a lack of of understanding People with AIDS need heed some compassion love and support but most of us us' us are afraid to get near them The Surgeon General is quoted as saying AIDS is not spread d b by common everyday contact but by sexual xua contact and the sharing of intravenous drug needles and syr- syr v inges irge Casual Casual social contact such uch as as shaking hands hugging social ki kissing sing crying coughing or sneezing ing will not transmit the AIDS virus AIDS has not been contracted contracted contracted con con- from swimming in pools or or- bathing Sn in n hot tubs Aids is not con con- tr from fr m sharing bed bed bedlin lin linens ns cups straws or dishes You cannot cannot cannot can can- not get AIDS from toilets doorknobs or telephones Almost all persons infected with the virus spend very little time in hospitals Most are living with family ly and friends and only go into the hospital with rel related ted lIneses or during during during dur dur- ing the final stages of the disease Elizabeth Van Den Bergh infectious infectious infectious control specialist at Holy HolyCross HolyCross HolyCross Cross hospital says These These people people are encouraged to wor work as long as they possibly can and lead as active a life as they can When they do come into the hospital many of the nurses have lunch or dinner wi with h them in the units lunchroom without any threat of infection From working in a hospital en- en and talking with nurses nurses and specialists in the field it is clear that cornmon everyday Contact with people that have the virus virus virus-is- is is safe Lets Let's avoid alienating them