Exposure of heterosexuals to human immunodeficiency virus and viremia: evidence for continuing risks in spouses of hemophiliacs

Article Abstract:

Sexually active heterosexual couples risk transmitting the AIDS virus if one member has antibodies to the virus in his or her blood (a sign of the presence of the virus itself), but the frequency of such transmission is unknown. The cause of 30 monogamous hemophiliacs, who might have contracted AIDS from infected transfusions of clotting elements, and their spouses were studied to determine the occurrence of HIV infection and the time frame involved in such infections. AIDS antibodies were found in 24 of the 30 hemophiliacs and in four of their spouses. The duration of exposure to the AIDS virus via unprotected sexual intercourse (without a condom, which blocks passage of body fluids and the virus) ranged from one to 6.5 years among these patients. The AIDS virus developed (the virus can be present for a long time before the disease develops) in six hemophiliac husbands and one wife. The virus was found in the blood of all four hemophiliacs with AIDS, in two hemophiliacs with AIDS-related problems, in four out of 14 hemophiliacs without symptoms and in two out of four spouses with antibodies in their blood. In total, 17 precent of the spouses contracted AIDS. The results indicate that it is important to educate all couples that include a hemophiliac partner about the risk of infection by the AIDS virus.

Demographic aspects, Diseases, Blood clotting disorders, Blood coagulation disorders, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Viremia, Immunologic diseases

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The changing prognosis of classic hemophilia (factor VIII "deficiency.")

Article Abstract:

Classic hemophilia or hemophilia A (also known as factor VIII deficiency) is a disease that affects males and is marked by a greatly increased risk of bleeding due to abnormalities in the proteins necessary for blood clotting. This disease has been recognized and tracked for a number of years, and extensive data are available on the ages and causes of death of patients with hemophilia. As understanding of the disease increased, and more treatments became available, a general trend toward longer survival was observed during this century. In the past decade, however, survival and longevity have decreased markedly, due to the prevalence of AIDS in hemophiliacs who received transfusions of blood products contaminated with the AIDS virus. Some surveys have reported that as many as 70 percent of classic hemophiliacs carry this virus. Before the onset of the AIDS epidemic, survival and longevity of hemophiliacs was approaching that of the general population. However, because many hemophiliacs who carry the AIDS virus do not yet have symptoms of the disease, mortality among hemophiliacs will probably continue to increase over the next decade. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Patient outcomes, Mortality, HIV infection, HIV infections, Contamination, Blood products

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Alcohol or drug use and compliance with safer sex guidelines for STD/HIV infection: results from the French National Survey on Sexual Behavior (ACSF) Among Heterosexuals

Article Abstract:

Alcohol or drug use is not associated with unsafe sex practices in the French population. Researchers surveyed 4,213 French people, of whom 2,009 were considered to be at risk of contracting HIV infection via sexual intercourse. Although Those at risk were more likely to drink alcohol before sex, those who engaged in unsafe sex were no more likely to use alcohol or drugs than those who did not.

Surveys, Drinking of alcoholic beverages, Drinking (Alcoholic beverages), Safe sex

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