Alarming News About AIDS
Can the AIDS Virus Penetrate Intact Skin ?
Can the AIDS virus (HIV) penetrate intact human skin, enter the
bloodstream, and infect the body? The answer is YES !
The mechanism by which it does this is described in the August
28, 1992 edition of the prestigious magazine, Science.
The HIV virus has no source of mobility, but, just as most first
class hotels have porters, who take the immobile baggage of
arriving guests, and transport it into the hotel, the body has
specialized cells which act as porters to carry the HIV virus
into the body. These porters are known as Langerhans cells.
Science magazine states:
"Langerhans cells apparently detect and pick up foreign
invaders or antigens in the skin. They then
migrate into the circulation, where they mature into dendritic
cells, which have the job of presenting the foreign antigens to
the immune cells responsible for initiating a specific immune
attack: these include the CD4 T cells - the very cells whose
destruction results in the immune system collapse of AIDS
patients" (page 1212).
The report also states:
"Of particular concern is the isolation of HIV from
Langerhans cells in the skin of HIV-infected people. Some AIDS
researchers, including molecular biologist William Haseltine of
Harvard University's Dana-Farber Cancer institute and his Harvard
colleague Erik Landoff, think that Langerhans cells may even be
the most significant target of HIV, partially because they can be
infected more efficiently than the better known targets, the CD4
T cells and macrophages of the immune system " (page 1212).
Can Social Contact Transmit AIDS ?
The scientific facts should be kept in mind when considering
whether the AIDS virus can be transmitted by blood which is spilt
during contact sports, and by such things as coughing, sneezing
and spitting. The fact that there is no confirmed case of the HIV
virus having been transmitted by social contact, does not mean
that it cannot be transmitted in this way.
If an individual took a rifle and fired l00 shots at random, and
no one was hit, it would be unwise to
conclude that such random firing is safe, and that no one could
be hurt by such a procedure.
Million-to-one chances do occur, otherwise no one would take a
ticket in the lottery. People are also occasionally struck by
lightning although most people have endured lightning storms
without personal damage.
The consequences of infection with the AIDS virus are so terrible
that the objective must be to prevent infections, not to merely
render it less likely.
Can AIDS Be Caught In The Barber's Chair?
The Mayo Clinic Health Letter contains a section captioned:
"Second Opinion - - We Answer Your Questions". In the
September, l992 edition of the Health Letter, the following
question is asked and answered:
"Question: My barber shaves my neck and around my ears.
Should I be worried about getting AIDS ? Should my barber be
worried ?"
The answer begins with the customary reassurance, which the
present political climate demands and then becomes realistic.
"Answer: The AIDS virus is fragile. It doesn't survive long
outside the body. If barbers and
cosmetologists adequately clean equipment between customers,
there's little risk of getting or transmitting AIDS or any other
infection."
I interpose a question - What does the word "fragile"
actually mean? Researchers have found that the virus will survive
for as much as 7 days in a dried body fluid, such as blood, and
for as much as l4 days in a liquid body fluid. It will survive
within in the body for as long as the body lives.
The answer continues:
"Conventional straight edge razors, however, are a potential
route of infection and require maximum
disinfection if reused. "Although soaking the razor in a
solution of one part household bleach to l0 parts of water for at
least 20 minutes provides adequate protection. It's best to avoid
straight or other reuseable razors."
How many barbers are taking adequate precautions?
~ The Flaming Torch