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Show rfe style Also in this section: ArtsEntertainment D4-- 5 Jan. Friday 12, 198) D Majority of workers say that Kids in testing program not getting AIDS drug prospective employers 'snoop' By PAUL RAEBURN AP Science Editor NEW YORK (AP) More than - children infected with the AIDS virus are not getting drug AZT because they are subjects in a government trial of another drug. The trial of the other drug is continuing, more than two months after Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan acted to make AZT widely available to all children who need it. "We have enough preliminary evidence that the drug is effective and seems to be safe," he said in October. 300 Researchers In addition, at least half of the children, those who are serving as controls in the experiment, are receiving only a placebo, lacking any beneficial ingredients. They are not getting AIDS-infect- or even reverse damage to the central nervous system. That damage produces physical and mental symptoms. "Children who were once walking lose that ability, or children "AZT is a drug which has clearly defined benefits in the pediatric population." Dr. Philip Pizzo, Bethesda, Md. Chief of the pediatrics branch National Cancer Institute are split over whether the children should now be receiving AZT. Some have criticized the decision to continue the trial with the other drug, called intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIG. "The issue of immunoglobulin alone might have been timely three or four years ago," said Dr. Philip Pizzo, chief of the pediatrics branch at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. "But in 1989, not having AZT ... means that the potential benefit of the drug, particularly to children's nervous systems, is being lost." Unlike AZT, which is specifically intended to prevent further spread of the AIDS virus in the body, immunoglobulin is intended to reduce the frequency and severity of bacterial infections in children carrying the AIDS virus. It has no direct effect on the virus itself. any drugs. trials Such placebo-controlle- d have been stopped in adults because it was deemed unethical to deny adults AZT, said spokeswoman Elaine Baldwin at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda. NIAID, which runs nearly all of the national trials of potential S drugs, has also stopped trials in doing placebo-controlle- d children, Baldwin said. "The bottom line from my point d of view is that a trial to be done in children with symptomatic infections would be an inappropriate thing to do," said Pizzo. "AZT is a drug which has clearly defined benefits in the pediatric population." His studies, among the most thorough studies of AZT in children, indicate the drug can stop anti-AID- placeboi-con-trolle- who had sentences begin to lose that speech," he said. "AZT can improve that in varying degrees." number of specialists in the treatment of AIDS in children hold similar views, as they explained in interviews: "We all feel that survival in children given no drug is very poor. The fact that symptomatic children can now be treated with AZT is certainly a significant advance," said Dr. Gwendolyn Scott, a pediatrician at the University of Miami School of Medicine. "AZT has been demonstrated to have benefit in children, and patients need to have access to AZT," said Dr. Edward Connor, chairman of the pediatrics committee of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group operated by NIAID. "The question for children who fall into that category is not A Part - 1 so much will AZT be of benefit, but what is the best dosage," said Dr. Stephen Spector, director of the AIDS clinical trials unit at the University of California, San Diego. He added that AZT is likely to be useful even in children who have not yet developed symptoms of AIDS. In October, HHS Secretary Sullivan and the Food and Drug Administration released AZT for use in children under what is called a "treatment IND." That allows wide distribution of a drug, without charge, before it has been formally approved for use. The FDA determined that the benefits of the toxic drug outweighed its side effects. As of Nov. 30, 1989, the latest date for which figures are available, the Centers for Disease Control had received reports of 1,947 cases of children with AIDS and 1,059 deaths since the epidemic began. The CDC has no estimate of the number of American children infected with the AIDS virus, but doctors say the number may be two to 10 times the number of cases reported. Most contract the virus from their mothers before birth. Children in the immunoglobulin trial are not prevented from taking AZT, but few are receiving it. Counseling, medication help depression Dear Ann Landers: I am 34 and life is good! The last four years have been wonderful, but before - that it was mostly hell. There was no reason for me to be ' miserable. I was not short of mon- -' - ey, had no career disappointments, " no trouble with my marriage. The only problem was that I thought I was crazy. I couldn't be happy, no matter how good life was. In college I had bad days and good days. As time went on, the bad days increased and the good days were fewer and farther between. I began to think dying would be easier than living. I cried all the time. If I hadn't been concerned about what it would do to my parents, I would have killed myself. . ' - Finally, my parents began to ' matter less and less. I decided I would rather be dead than crazy. I told my father how miserable I . tion to this space. And now a word to my K Ann Landers L.A. TIMES CREATORS SYNDICATE & was and confessed that I was thinking about suicide. He telephoned my brother, who had had similar problems and was being treated with an antidepressant. My brother put me in touch with his doctor, who prescribed the same drug. Within a few weeks I was feeling ever so much better. I still have some down days, but they aren't half as bad as they used to be. The message I would like get Campaign 1990: Polaroid, guitar player and a burro By DORALISA PILARTE Associated Press Writer MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) -A Polaroid camera is the weapon of choice for the leftist Sandinista Front on the 1990 campaign trail. Their foes have picked a guitar player and a burro to drive home their political pitch. Just seven weeks before tion day and after a Christmas Most polls days. But her running mate, Virgilio Godoy of the Liberal Independent Party, is on the campaign trail and became hoarse over the weekend from his many public speeches. Godoy, a lawyer and college professor, is a more polished speaker than Mrs. Chamor-ro- , whose political experience is limited. to your readers is this: across When you feel down in the dumps for a significant period of time, try counseling. It can't hurt and it might help. If counseling doesn't work, talk to your doctor. A chemical imbalance in the brain could be causing your feelings of anxiety and hopelessness. They now have medication to treat this problem. If your doctor doesn't want to listen, FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. Go to the library and educate yourself about depression. Knowing that you are not crazy helps. Remember, you are not alone. This type of mental illness is not uncommon. Don't give up. There is help for you, but you must find it. I have been down that lonely road, and now I am a healthy, happy human being. Little Rock Dear Little Rock: What a great letter. No one could have written it but a person who has lived if. Thank you for a valuable contribu - hiatus punctuated by the U.S. invasion of Panama, Nicaragua's political parties are at it again. " The candidates are kissing and flesh slingthe bies, pressing ba-,- ing mud at each other in a crescendo of politicking that will climax with the Feb. 25 balloting. r .; A billboard showing President ' Daniel Ortega hugging one of his children has popped up on a - Managua street coiner. Ortega, with Vice running for President Sergio Ramirez, is now visiting cities for the second time in the campaign. Peasants at rallies fight over who will have their picture taken next to Ortega. A Polaroid camera clicks, the print slides out and the peasant goes home with a portrait of himself standing right ' next to the smiling president. . ' . For its party, the opposition - - . ' ; . ' j, '' "In 'job interviews, Americans say employers routinely snoop into the privacy of job applicants by asking questions that have no relationship to job performance," she said. The poll asked 1,007 adults whether employers had a right to ask if a job applicant lives with a member of the opposite sex, has elderly parents, about religious preference, plans to have children, the nature of smoking after-wor- k hobbies and marital status. The poll, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, said 79 percent of the respondents had been asked at least non-fami- ly of those questions in a job interview. An overwhelming majority of respondents considered most of the during interquestions views. For example, 87 percent thought it was inappropriate for an employer to ask whom they were living with and 74 percent didn't think it was an employer's business whether they smoked away from the job. Only the question on marital status was considered by a majority 52 percent as an appropriate question for an employer to ask. More than 80 percent thought employers, when making hiring and firing decisions, should not consider outside activities such as gambling at a race track, holding an unusual second job such as a bartender or participating in a political one off-limi- ts b, Researchers identify AIDS risk factors for newborns NEW YORK (AP) Pregnant women infected with the AIDS virus have a greater risk of passing it to their offspring if the infants are born prematurely or if the mothers have low levels of a partic- ular antibody, a study shows. The discovery of the link between Please don't write and ask me for and AIDS transmission the the name of the medication this couldantibody in the developbe important woman is taking. There are many of an AIDS vaccine, the rement kinds of antidepressants and all searchers said in a report in the must be prescribed by a medical 9 issue of The Lancet, a Dec. doctor. (Psychologists and social British medical journal. cannot write workers prescriptof 55 infants born to In a ions.) Also, individuals respond dif- infected study in New York City, mothers ferently to medication. What works the researchers found that 16, or 29 another. for one may not work for percent, of the infants were infectTreating mental illness with drug ed with the human immunodeficienof one this is century's therapy cy virus, or HIV, which causes most significant contributions to huAIDS. The rate of infection in the mankind. It has freed untold num10 infants born at least three weeks bers of sufferers from a living hell. premature was 60 percent. Thank God for medical research. infants, the Among the Dear Ann Landers: I've read likelihood of infection was greatest many pet peeves in your column. in those whose mothers had low Please print mine. levels of a particular antibody at public against the outer coat of the virus, I'm a ticket-take- r events such as ball games, concerts said the researchers led by James and circuses. So many people have J. Goedert of the National Cancer the habit of putting tickets in their Institute in Bethesda, Md. mouth while they put away their The results suggest that the antichange. It's not a very good feeling body was reacting with a specific to handle wet tickets from stransaid. gers. I'll bet if you printed this it part of the viral coat, they of the The level apparentantibody would make a difference. Finicky in the Cheese State ly had less to do with protecting the Dear Fin: Here's your letter. I infant than did the specific part said. hope it helps, but don't bet the rent. that was the target, they The habit you describe is the result Identification of the target could be of humans having only two hands, important in developing vaccines to and I know of no solution to that protect healthy people against AIDS infection, the researchers said. one. Horoscope Saturday, Jan. 13, 1990 By Joyce Jillson. Mercury's conjunction of Neptune raises your level of perception. It's much easier to compreou have little underhend situations of which standing. This adds to your creativity, and you're able to conjure up fascinating stories through an active imagination. Aries (March 19). You get a feeling of satisfaction knowing you're doing the right thing. Camaraderie at home could lead to emotional harmony. It won't hurt to take a chance once in a while. 20). You learn to Taurus (April appreciate the little things in life. Someone's financial success challenges you to excel. Don't waste your time seeking apologies. Gemini (May 21). Insignificant details could be clouding your judgment. A relationship is strengthened by your vow of loyalty. You take pride in the quality of your work. 22). You'll find a reason Caucer (June to hold a celebration today. This isn't the time to be tight with your money. Your attitude makes the difference between failure and suc- cess. readers: full-ter- m - Leo (July 22). There's a definite advantage to being single today. Married Leos might decide to expand their family. A recent setback could be blocking your attempts at Today's Birthday (Jan. 13). You're in great demand this year. Other people will look to you for advice and assistance. It's important that you finish what you start. In February, you'U receive a business offer. You should concentrate oil your personal needs in April. Support from the public in May stimulates your June is romantic, social and entertaining. Marriage is favorable in September. Virgo 22). You (Aug. coalition has hired composer Pompilio Amaya, who delights crowds at rallies with his songs, accompanied by his guitar. Then there's Pancho the Burro, who 1". wears a cap with the coalition's written on It and Is . acronym rallies. before paraded : Publisher Violeta Barrios de . Chamorro, the opposition presi-In her fell dential candidate, home last week and fractured a knee. She Is laid up in a Houston ' 10 hMpital for at least another Vlj&f RJNX Jww FASHIONS targeting Mrs. Chamorro's perceived lack of great intellectual capacity. Mrs. Chamorro is the widow of Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, a civic leader whose Image Is between in a constant the Sandinistas and the National Opposition Union. j DESK3 hard today. 19). You might have Capricorn (Dec. to put your needs aside while tending to those of a loved one. Find ways to increase your income. Someone gives you valuable inside information. 18). Make sure your Aquarius (Jan. You'll be good intentions aren't misunderstood. praised for your organizational skills. Don't take on more responsibility than you can handle. Pisces (Feb. 20). You find the most happiness in giving, not receiving. You're able to make progress in your career plans. Favors come from unexpected sources. Y0U tug-of-w- ar ty Nicaraguans might construe any personal attack on Mrs. Chamorro as an attack on her late a political taboo. husband Real issues abound: the dismal state of the economy and how to, Contra correct it, the rebels, the draft, regional guerrilla movements and relations with Washington and Moscow. Neither the Sandinistas nor the opposition has changed the substance of its message over Christmas. The Sandinistas blame the United States for nearly all the country's ills; the opposition blames the Sandinistas. The Sandinistas also claim the opposition is getting U.S. funding. The Americans and the opposition both deny It, though Mrs. Chamorro has visited with U.S. officials. A telling item in any of the polls, however, is the percentage of undecideds, who constitute nearly as many people as those who say they will vote for Ortega or for Mrs. Chamorro. U.S.-back- MENTS ssi JL$mmJ mMliimmf IlilP ARTS jjjllil lllililBfe FLORAL NEEDLEWORK CRAFTS FRAMING 224-308- ... .!,';., .... ... 11 m ,: n ; ..,,, 8 get of your friends. Libra (Sept. 23). You can recoup a financial loss of you're puick about it. A love affair could rejuvenate your attitude about life. Take pains to do things the right way. 21). Your pride could Scorpio (Oct. get in the way of reaching compromises. Other people will be impressed by your sense of humor. You'll enjoy going on short trips. 21). A shortcut Sagittarius (Nov. could cause more problems than it's worth. You might have to make a sudden change in travel plans. The financial facts of life could hit you FASHIONS FOR ALL AGESU IMML&J.dF1 Ortega has tactfully avoided can staggering results if you diligently apply yourself. It may be necessary for you to put your own needs first. Be careful not to let down one released over the past few months show Ortega ahead of Mrs. Chamorro, who has the advantage of owning the opposition newspaper La Prensa to help in her campaign. : By KAREN BALL Associated Press Writer Most WASHINGTON (AP) American workers say prospective employers "routinely snoop" into their private lives, according to a poll released this week. The nationwide poll, conducted by the National Consumers League, "confirms our worst fears about the state of privacy in the workplace," said Linda Golodner, the group's executive director. ,," ' |
