Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune (CT) - FRIDAY June 21, 1985
Ronald Kotulak, Science writer
"Individuals have the power to protect themselves more than science currently can," said Dr. George D. Lundberg, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Although most of the victims so far have been homosexuals and bisexuals, intravenous drug abusers and people receiving contaminated blood products, there is growing concern that AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) may be spreading to the heterosexual population, said Lundberg.
Since more than 70 percent of the AIDS cases seem to have been transmitted sexually, the first line of defense would be to practice monogamous sex, said Lundberg.
"Until a technological method of prevention and treatment can be developed, it will be necessary to contain this virus by changing the lifestyle of many people--by no means all of them homosexual men," he said.
Scientists last year identified the HTLV-III virus as the cause of AIDS and found that it can be carried in blood, semen and saliva. A blood test to detect antibodies to the AIDS virus became available in March.
Governmental agencies should consider requiring the blood test to identify people who may be infected with the virus before issuing marriage licenses, said Lundberg.
Other defensive steps include screening all blood collected for transfusions, stopping the sharing of hypodermic needles, avoiding pregnancy among people infected with the AIDS virus and avoiding any type of sex with infected individuals, he said.
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