j----_. - New York Civil Liberties Union

Mahopac 323
cts eeses that can be transmitted through blood products. In the meantime,
heat treatment of blood components has effectivel~ inactivated such viral
agents.
10. How do women get AIDS?
The majority of women with AIDS have a history of IV drug abuse, and
presumably contracted the virus through Sharing unclean needles. A growing
pércentage of women with AIDS have become infected through sexual contact with
a man who has ÄIOS or 1s infected with the AIDS vi·rus.
11. How do children get AIDS?
Most children with AIDS became infected by their infected mothers
through blood-to-blood transmission prior to or at birth. Some children
developed AIDS from blood transfusions.
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12. Is AIOSpa~sed bv k1ss1ng?
HIV virus has been found in the saliva of some AIDS patients, but there
is not a single c.. aseof AIDS that is known or s.uspected.of being transmitted
by kissing •.lf AIDS were transmitted by kissing many family members of persons
with AIDS ~óuld be expected to have HIV infection. Thh hin not occurred.
13. Why 15 anal i.ntercourse linked with the transll1ss10n of AIDS?
The 11010gof the rectum is thin and easily torn. Anal intercourse can
therefore r~.sult In direct semen-to-blood exchange.
14. Can AttOS be transIlitted throughorallgenitalsex1
It ha.. s nôtyet been established whether oral/genital sex transmits the
disease, but any activity which may result in sémen-to-b1ood exchange
presumably can transmit HIV infection.
15. Can AIDS be transmitted through vaginal 1ntercourse?
A growing number of AIDS cases havtbeen transmitted from infected males
to females through vaginal intercourse. There are only a few documented cases
of AIDS transmitted sexually fraIlIwomen to men, although the HIV virus has
been found in va~irial fluid.
16. Does pr2l,scyoys,e)(u.l .contact increase the risk of AIDS?
Promiscuous sexual contact increases the risk of coming into cqntact
with sameon. who is infected with the HIV virus, as well as other sexually
transmitted disl.S,S, 1nc1ud1ng syphil is, gonorrhea and herpes. All men and
women are advised to know the sexual history and health status of sexual
partners and to avoid anonymous, promiscuous sexual contact.
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11. Can feMle prostitutes 'spread AIDS?
Prostitùt.sare likely carriers of HIV virus since they are often IV
drug abusers. So far, there are very few case.s·of female-to-male transmissi.on
of the virus, but anyone who engages in sex with an anonymous partner is
increasing the risk of contracting AIDS and sexually transmissible diseases.
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