AIDS Not A GAY Disease!
IT'S YOUR LIFE: A HUMAN AND REALISTIC LOOK AT (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) A.I.D.S.
On April 5th the G.E.A.R. Foundation headed by Randy Goodman in cooperation with the Cleveland Clinic held an informative seminar to enlighten and educate the Gay/Lesbian Community on A.I.D.S..
Dr. Ralph Calabreze and Dr. Brian Davis explained the dangers and myths of this lethal disease, that was first reported in the Homosexual Communities of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and now has spread to 35 states and 16 foreign countries. And although Gay Men still account for 72 percent of cases reported, A.I.D.S. seems to be moving into the population at large.
Through-out the centuries humans. have been plagued with various unexplainable diseases, some of which have been curied by modern medicine, others have diminished with time; but todays modern technology has yet to pinpoint a possible ray of hope to the 1,300 Americans affected with some form of A.I.D.S. and understand that this is a disease that has doctors baffled.
2 year outbreak Toxic Shock Syndrome 21% Mortality Rate.
1 year outbreak Legionnaires Disease 28% Mortality Rate.
3 year outbreak A.I.D.S.
38% Mortality Rate. 50 year outbreak Bubonic Plague
-
68% Mortality Rate.
I first wish to point out that I am not a doctor, nor will I use large medical terminology to confuse my Gay Brothers & Sisters. I am just a Gay Male who is concerned with the physical and mental health of our community.
To make things easier let's examine A.I.D.S., What is this disease?
1. (KS) Kaposi's Sarcoma; a rare and mild skin cancer, ordinarily found in older males of Mediterranean ancestry, but since 1979 young homosexual males have contacted this cancer which has turned this once mild cancer into an aggressive killer.
2. (PCP) Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia; a rare parasitic lung infection usually accompanied by fever and increasing shortness of breath.
Researchers have studied many possible roots, but as of yet, they do not know what causes A.I.D.S., but they are able to describe what happens to its victims.
In short, our body manufactures an immune system with T-lymphocytes (T-cells or helper cells) these cells, are a class of white blood cells that fight parasites, certain viruses, fungi and TB-type organisms. A.I.D.S. sufferers have too few T-cells and the ones that they do have are impaired. Without these T-cells the body cannot fight off any infection.
The first symptoms of A.I.D.S. are not distinctive, because early symtoms often copy those of a less serious illness; persistent fatigue, fever, diarrhea, night sweats and swollen lymph glands in neck, armpits and groin, as well as virus infections such as colds, flu, herpes simplex and shingles.
The following figures are not to alarm the Cleveland Gay Community but to inform you on the magnitude of A.I.D.S. and also to inform you that A.I.D.S. is NOT A GAY PLAGUE. 1. Homosexual/Bisexual Men-933 cases, 35% Mortality Rate. 2. Intravenous Drug Users -217 cases, 40% Mortality Rate. 3. Haitians 64 cases, 55% Mortality Rate.
4. Hemophiliacs
11 cases, 73% Mortality Rate.
5. Children (under investigation)
6. Others
20 cases, 50% Mortality Rate.
75 cases, 43% Mortality Rate.
There are 12 confirmed cases in the Cleveland area since 1982, and the following recommendations from New York City doctors are as follows, (a) number your sexual partners to a few, (b) stay away from amyl nitrites, (c) use a condom when having anal intercourse, (d) and refrain from having sex with men from New
by Jim Blevins
York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. You should also restrict yourself from giving blood donations until a possible solution to this disease is found.
Now I realize that most of the Community won't even bother reading this article, because A.I.D.S. has not affected you or any of your personal friends, but I do urge that the people who do read this please talk about it with your friends and start to support the A.I.D.S. benefits, to help find a cure before it hits you!!!
People, you can not imagine how much money is needed to even start testing, but according to Cleveland Clinic it would cost $86,000.00 to $95,000.00 to study 50 people every 3 months.
Again I urge that this disease is lethal, and maybe hasn't affected you yet, but for those who are sexually promiscuous;
"CHANGE YOUR LIFE-STYLE, NOT YOUR SEXUALITY".
Remember; It's your life!!!
ADAM'S ROW OPENS
ADAMSKO
BAR & GRIL
Joe & Richard at the opening of their new Resturant, Adam's Row, at 11921 Lorain Ave. in Cleveland.
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