Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ucla-cs!Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org From: Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org (Wounded Bird) Newsgroups: sci.med.aids Subject: Aids statistics? Message-ID: <38478@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> Date: 28 Aug 90 19:23:57 GMT Sender: news@CS.UCLA.EDU Organization: FidoNet node 1:135/38 - C-Board, Miami FL Lines: 71 Approved: phil@wubios.wustl.edu Note: Copyright 1990 by Daniel R. Greening. Permission granted for Note: non-commercial reproduction. Archive-number: 2432 > I was wondering if anybody had any statistics on AIDS, such as what are the >chances of getting it (e.g., 1 in 10, 1 in 100,000, etc..)? Statistical probability of getting AIDS is highly dependant upon the type of activity you engage in (sexual or use of contaminated hyperdermic needles (both accidentally or through ignorance). In the absence of "high risk activity" the probabilities are most likely too small to measure and in the presence of that type of activity, pretty damned good . One in 200 has been published for contaminated needle sticks and unprotected anal intercourse. >What is the life-expectancy of a person with AIDS? This varies considerably and it is not meaningful to come up with an average. Life expectancy for those with diminished immune systems is highly dependant on the disease, parasite or organism (opportunistic infection) that is present in the body or to which one may become exposed to. It is dependant upon the individuals' tolerance of highly toxic medications as well as the availability of a medication that will fight the disease or organism in the absence of an immune system. It is complicated by the problems of multiple, concurrent infections and the interactions in the human body of multiple medications required to deal with them. And, most importantly it is highly dependant upon the individual's access to an enlightened medical community. Aerosol Pentamadine has increased the life expectancy of many PWAs who have access to it by controlling Pneumocystis (statistically the biggest killer in the past) but there are hundreds of organisms waiting in line to attack the human body. We have NO effective treatments for many of them simply because the immune system has taken care of them in the past and medicine has not had to deal much with them. Sorry, but we are not anywhere near a point where AIDS can be controlled like Diabetes (I got that one also). Unlike that disease which has a single effect (loss of insulin production) and simple maintenance (take either oral or injected insulin), HIV infects various tissues/cells and allows multiple diseases to do "their thing". It also can directly impair the proper functioning of brain cells and the central nervous system. It also multiplies faster in cells which are infected by other viruses. > I heard that there was a person cured of AIDS by warming his blood >temperature? Is this true? No! What you heard was that a man had his Kaposi's Sarcoma (cancer) apparently go into full remission and that he tested negative several months later for HIV antibodies. This does not in any way indicate that his cells (contained in his brain, skin, spleen, bone marrow, etc.) no longer contain the HIV viral protein. See other recent posts concerning antibody tests and seroconversion. I suspect (and I am not qualified to suspect anything) that he may have reverted back to a pre AIDS status where the HIV virus is present but is not currently active. Many of us would settle for that if the treatment weren't so dangerous AND expensive. > Any other developments that are very close to a >cure for AIDS? I am not aware of any. Sorry. Both the antivirals DDi AND DDc have side effects that, although different from AZT are equally dangerous. These include damage to the liver (DDc) and pancreas (DDi) as well as severe peripheral neuropathy. In Miami, useage of DDi was required to be withdrawn in over 2/3 of those taking the drug for "various" medical reasons. (That is according to the Dade County Coalition - a gay and pwa advocacy group) Matt, even knowing all of the above and being a PWA, I have not thrown in the towel. We all need to hang in there as best we can and while we are hangin around give a hand to those that aren't faring as well as us! SEEN-BY: -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!135!38!Wounded.Bird Internet: Wounded.Bird@f38.n135.z1.fidonet.org