"The Education of Kimberly Bergalis"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"The Education of Kimberly Bergalis"

Washington Times (09/17/91), P. F2

Abstract: Despite the case of Kimberly Bergalis, who contracted HIV from her dentist, there will be no hurry to create a new Centers for Disease Control category on classifying AIDS cases called "treated by an HIV-infected health-care worker," write the editors of the Washington Times. Although education on the transmission of HIV could be beneficial, Kimberly Bergalis was a nonhemophiliac virgin who has never used drugs or received a transfusion, but still acquired HIV when getting her molars extracted by her dentist Stewart Acer. Bergalis was scheduled to tell her story to Rep. Henry Waxman's subcomimittee on Health and the Environment, in support of legislation mandating HIV tests for health-care workers that perform "exposure prone" procedures. However, her scheduled date was postponed from Sept. 12 to Sept. 26. Bergalis and her father feel Waxman's staff postponed the meeting because they are afraid to hear what she has to say. Because of the lack of enthusiasm for her case, there probably won't be any "teach-ins on the subject either," conclude the editors.

910917
AD911694

Copyright © 1991 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1991. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1991. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.