Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Thursday, December 18, 1997
Nineteen-year-old Lyndsey Griffiths, who was at the centre of allegations about her relationship with army personnel at the garrison said she was considering taking legal action against the Ministry of Defence.
She told the BBC of the problems she had had since the rumours started: "It's not nice walking down the street with people thinking you are HIV positive. Basically you can't even go out of the door."
Her solicitor John McArdle said: "She has had verbal confirmation that she is not HIV positive. She will receive written confirmation of that later."
Soldiers in a British Army garrison town are being offered HIV tests and counselling after Ms Griffiths and another woman in the area were reported to have contracted the virus. The other woman, who is nineteen years old, also denies she has the virus.
According to the deputy commander at Catterick, the women were thought to have had sex with some of the men from the base.
The scare started after what defence sources described as a confidential informant told the army headquarters some women around the barracks were HIV-positive.
Commanders then gave written and verbal warnings, telling any soldiers who were concerned to come forward for medical advice and testing if necessary.
Army sources said two women, described as "liberal with their bodies", were the source of the scare.
But while acknowledging some soldiers had come forward for tests, they refused to give figures on grounds of medical confidentiality.
Catterick is one of the army's biggest bases in Britain, but a brigade usually stationed there is currently on peace-keeping duty in Bosnia.
The sources said the army took its duty of care towards its personnel seriously and had passed on the warnings immediately as a responsible employer should.
But the sources also pointed out some aspects of the social life of a garrison town and the behaviour of soldiers in their free time had changed little for generations.
Apart from warning soldiers, the army has for some time kept condoms at guardhouses to give to soldiers who want them as part of attempts to combat the risk of Aids.
971218
BB971210
Copyright © 1997 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. 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, 1997. 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. .