Physicians and dentists tell the CDC: ''avoid quick fix for a tough problem''

Article Abstract:

Representatives of the American Medical Association (AMA) and American Dental Association (ADA), and one physician connected with an infected dental patient, were the only ones to support the idea of changes in medical practice to reduce the risk of physician-to-patient transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, associated with AIDS) at a recent meeting. The two-day conference was attended by representatives from the professional societies and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as medical, dental, public health, labor, and other groups. The positions of the AMA and ADA were that physicians and dentists are obligated to avoid any activity that puts patients at risk. They were opposed to mandatory blood testing of health care workers because of the possibility of infringement of civil liberties and the unnecessary removal of HIV-positive clinicians from the work force. The meeting itself was the second following the disclosure that a Florida dentist, David Acer, apparently infected three patients before his own death in December 1990. In spite of the extremely low incidence of infection by this route, an incidence dramatically lower than, for instance, infection due to incompetent surgical technique, the public response has been considerable. The exact way that the virus was transmitted by Dr. Acer may never be known. Better protective strategies for patients, as outlined in the meeting, include: maintaining a high standard of infection control; develop safer instruments and techniques; determining the realistic likelihood of health care worker-to-patient transmission; and concentrating on avoiding AIDS infection when it is very likely, such as among adolescents, rather than in physicians' and dentists' offices, where it is very rare. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Conferences, meetings and seminars, Medicine, Practice, Physicians, Medical professions, Dentists, Dentistry, Disease transmission, Medical practice

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Midwest symposium seeks therapeutic answers to global AIDS problem

Article Abstract:

New therapies for fighting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were discussed at a recent meeting of researchers from industry, government, and academia. As the total number of Americans who have died from AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) approaches 70,000, new concepts in drug treatment were shared. One effort focuses on destroying only the cells already infected with HIV, so they cannot reproduce the virus. The experimental drug, which will be developed by the Upjohn Company, has been named CD4-PE-40. Some experts believe that only a combination of drugs will effectively cure HIV infection. Scientists do not expect that CD4-PE-40 alone will eradicate HIV infection because some types of infected cells may not be vulnerable to the drug. Another stumbling block may be the tendency of some infected cells to remain dormant for a long time without producing the marker that the drug needs to identify and kill them. CD4-PE-40 will be tested in the laboratory during the next year to determine if it is likely to help infected patients. Other topics discussed at the meeting were ways to improve zidovudine, the search for useful animal models of human HIV infection, and methods for monitoring the progress of AIDS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Drug therapy, HIV (Viruses), HIV

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'Invisible' epidemic now becoming visible as HIV/AIDS pandemic reaches adolescents

Article Abstract:

The incidence of HIV infection has increased by 77% among adolescents since 1991. The transmission of HIV often is through heterosexual intercourse among individuals in this age group. More than 50% of high school students are sexually active, but their number of sexual partners may be decreasing. Many of the girls in a program for HIV-positive adolescents were unaware of their risk of contracting HIV. 'Survival sex' was one of the main risk factors for HIV infection among the girls. This involves trading sex for food, shelter or crack cocaine. None of the girls' partners would use a condom on a regular basis. The US needs to develop a more aggressive public health campaign to education adolescents about HIV. Finland mails every 16-year-old a pamphlet about safer sex with a condom enclosed. The development of a vaginal microbiocide may help decrease the risk of HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases transmitted diseases in women.

Statistics, Diseases, Teenagers, Youth

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