A.I.D.S., Kisses Link (Press, 5 December 1985)
This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.
Summary: A.I.D.S., Kisses Link (Press, 5 December 1985)
On 5 December 1985, a report by the Australian newspaper highlighted findings from Professor David Penington, the head of the National A.I.D.S. Task Force, regarding the transmission of the A.I.D.S. virus. Professor Penington stated that the virus could potentially be transmitted through deep, passionate kissing, especially under circumstances where both individuals had bleeding gums. He clarified, however, that the likelihood of transmitting the infection in such instances was related to the amount of the virus present, suggesting that a significant amount would be necessary for transmission to occur. Importantly, Professor Penington reassured the public that ordinary kissing, as well as activities such as sneezing, using swimming pools, sharing cutlery and crockery, and engaging in normal social interactions, would not transmit the virus. His guidance aimed to alleviate public fears regarding everyday interactions. In addition to kissing, Professor Penington expressed concerns regarding the safety of saunas, noting that if health checks and precautions were not properly enforced, they could potentially become significant venues for spreading the virus. He specifically highlighted the risks associated with male homosexual prostitutes, emphasising the importance of regular health checks for these individuals to prevent the spread of A.I.D.S. Overall, the report underscored the complex nature of the A.I.D.S. virus's transmission while providing specific advice aimed at reducing fear and promoting better awareness of preventative measures during a time when the disease was becoming an increasing public health concern.
Important Information
The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact
The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand