One In 10 Tested Has Positive Antibodies (Press, 25 March 1987)

In Auckland, the Burnett A.I.D.S. clinic, which opened nine months ago, has reported that one in ten clients tested positive for antibodies associated with the disease. According to clinic counsellor Mr Dick Johnstone, there has been a significant change in the type of individuals seeking assistance. Initially, the clinic catered mostly to the “worried well,” people who were frightened and had delayed seeking help until the clinic's establishment, often due to misinformation about the disease's transmission, including misconceptions that kissing posed a risk. Now, the clientele has shifted to include more individuals with genuinely high-risk behaviours. The ratio of those being referred for medical testing has doubled from one in four to one in two. Since its opening in June, the clinic has seen 1,045 clients. Among them, nine have been diagnosed with A.I.D.S., and 98 have tested positive for the antibodies. Notably, many from the latter group were previously diagnosed by their general practitioners or hospitals, and sought the clinic for support and counselling. Only 6 per cent of those tested at the clinic were positive. Demographically, the majority of those with positive tests were homosexual and bisexual men, but there were also cases among nine women, seven heterosexual men, and six intravenous drug users. Approximately one quarter of those testing positive were experiencing symptoms such as rashes, respiratory issues, and deep depression. Mr Johnstone emphasised that much of the clinic's focus is on helping these individuals cope with the anxiety surrounding the possibility of contracting a potentially fatal illness. To facilitate emotional expression, Mr Johnstone encourages clients to openly share their feelings. For those who become ill, the clinic offers a seven-week “wellness course” designed to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual health, based on an American cancer-therapy model. This approach integrates conventional medical treatment with the patient’s own doctor, alongside diet, exercise, and complementary therapies including naturopathy and electroacupuncture. Mr Johnstone reported that the course, while challenging, yields impressive results in alleviating symptoms such as depression, respiratory problems, and rashes, notably improving clients' self-esteem.

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