America Sets Out To Tackle A.I.D.S. (Press, 28 September 1985)

In September 1985, the AIDS crisis gained significant public attention following a high-profile fundraising banquet in Hollywood, spearheaded by celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor. The event raised more than $1 million from the sale of 2,500 tickets, priced between $250 and $1,000. There is widespread fear surrounding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a nearly always fatal condition, spawning reactions that some describe as panic. Many people mistakenly believe that the AIDS virus can be contracted through casual contact, leading to a range of societal concerns, including whether schools should exclude children with AIDS and how to interact with infected individuals. As of September 1985, the U.S. government's Centre for Disease Control reported 13,228 AIDS cases since June 1981, with 6,758 fatalities, representing a 51 percent death rate. Projections suggest that the number of cases could double within a year, potentially leading to a death toll of between 20,000 and 30,000 over the next five years. The majority of AIDS cases involve homosexual or bisexual men, intravenous drug users, and individuals who received contaminated blood. The virus responsible for AIDS, Human T-cell Lymphotrophic Virus type 3 (HTLV-3), attacks the body's immune system, specifically helper T-cells, leading to various opportunistic infections when the immune system is compromised. Currently, an estimated 500,000 to one million Americans may have been exposed to the virus, with 5 to 10 percent expected to develop AIDS within a ten-year period. For each fully developed case of AIDS, there are estimated to be between five and ten cases of AIDS-related complex (ARC), characterised by mild symptoms such as weight loss and fever. Transmission primarily occurs through sexual activities involving blood, sharing needles among drug users, and, to a lesser extent, from contaminated blood products or in utero from an infected mother. There is no evidence suggesting the virus can be transmitted through saliva or tears, although it has been isolated in these fluids. Efforts to ensure the safety of the blood supply have intensified, with screenings for potential donors now mandatory and specific guidelines in place for military recruits. Despite these challenges, a few experimental drugs are being tested, with some showing promise, albeit with significant side effects. Research for a vaccine continues, although experts warn that the constantly mutating virus presents a substantial obstacle. The societal response to AIDS has been complex, often tainted by stigma linked to the behaviours associated with the virus, primarily homosexuality and drug use. Advocacy for public health education and compassionate treatment of those affected is growing, as exemplified by Los Angeles's legislation against AIDS discrimination in employment and housing. However, campaigns promoting safe sex practices among high-risk groups often face backlash. The struggle to balance public health needs with the rights and dignity of individuals living with AIDS remains a critical issue in American society.

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