Talk:HIV/AIDS/Archive 5

message: In some instances the article mentions the "T cell" count instead of the CD4+ count. The distinction is quite essential; not all T cells carry CD4, yet for AIDS it is the most important marker. JFW | T@lk 15:27, 16 Jun 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: A note on style

message: Someone redirected Super AIDS here. I think it would be good to add a small section debunking the myth of Super AIDS. Here's a good article about the myth:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/06-05/06-06-05/a10wn935.htm
since this seems to be a sensitive article, and since I'm not an expert in any respect, I will leave it to you guys. Themindset 22:38, 21 Jun 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: No, it's not "a good example of why not to use news reports as references". News reports are appropriate when they are clearly labeled as new developments with unresolved issues. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge about AIDS, and the "super AIDS" story is widespread enough that it would be irresponsible for us not to acknowledge it and, now, acknowledge the evidence against it. Also, trying to turn this into a grudge match between David Ho and Robert Gallo is just odd, and I have no idea what you mean by "now discredited HAART and viral load fame". Ho's public comment on this case was "it is prudent to closely watch for any additional possible cases while continuing to emphasize the importance of reducing HIV risk behavior" - a sensible statement and hardly "grabbing the spotlight". ←Hob 18:46, July 14, 2005 (UTC)
===Heterosexual transmission===
Thirteen human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in young women who reported sexual contact with the same HIV-infected man were detected in a rural county in upstate New York. 
These 13 women were identified from 47 women who reportedly had had vaginal sex with the same HIV-infected man. The median number of vaginal sexual exposures to the same HIV-infected man was higher, although not significantly, for the HIV-infected women (six exposures; range: two-190 exposures) than for the uninfected women (three exposures; range: one-90 exposures) (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p=0.07). Median ages at first exposure to the putative index case-patient were similar for HIV-infected women (17.8 years; range: 13-22 years) (data were missing for one) and uninfected women (17.7 years; range: 14-24 years).
This should help clarify the issue. It is not a question of homosexual or heterosexual. AIDS is acquired from a HIV-infected person. Sci guy 13:38, 19 Jun 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Section debunking existence of Super AIDS needed 

message: Thirteen human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in young women who reported sexual contact with the same HIV-infected man were detected in a rural county in upstate New York. 
These 13 women were identified from 47 women who reportedly had had vaginal sex with the same HIV-infected man. The median number of vaginal sexual exposures to the same HIV-infected man was higher, although not significantly, for the HIV-infected women (six exposures; range: two-190 exposures) than for the uninfected women (three exposures; range: one-90 exposures) (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p=0.07). Median ages at first exposure to the putative index case-patient were similar for HIV-infected women (17.8 years; range: 13-22 years) (data were missing for one) and uninfected women (17.7 years; range: 14-24 years).
This should help clarify the issue. It is not a question of homosexual or heterosexual. AIDS is acquired from a HIV-infected person. Sci guy 13:38, 19 Jun 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Heterosexual transmission

message: The section of paragraph three of the Introduction dealing with transmission of HIV has raised some questions. Below I'd like to propose a rewrite (with references):
:The World Health Organization estimated that, worldwide, between 2.8 and 3.5 million people with AIDS died in 2004.  HIV is primarily passed on via four vectors: unprotected sexual intercourse (both homosexual and heterosexual), sharing of needles by IV drug users, medical procedures using HIV-contaminated blood or equipment, and mother-to-child transmission. Predominant modes of HIV transmission vary by region, and different HIV subtypes seem to be more strongly associated with some transmission routes than others. 
:In the US and Western Europe, homosexual intercourse and IV drug use lead to the majority of new infections. But in sub-Saharan Africa (where ~ 70% of people with AIDS live ) unscreened blood transfusions, poorly cleaned medical equipment , and heterosexual intercourse  are the primary HIV vectors. 
:* Marais, H., Stanecki, K., et al. (2004). AIDS epidemic update: 2004 United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (WHO).
:* UNAIDS (2004). "UNAIDS Questions & Answers" United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
:* Copson, R. W. (2003).  AIDS in Africa Congressional Research Service.
:* Marais, H., Stanecki, K., et al. (2004). AIDS epidemic update: 2004 United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (WHO).
:* Friedman, E. A. (2003). "HIV Transmission in the Medical Setting: A White Paper by Physicians for Human Rights".
Carl Henderson 23:45, 14 July 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Proposed Revision of Paragraph 3 of Introduction