Virus Risk, Frequency Of Sex Questioned (Press, 4 January 1988)
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Summary: Virus Risk, Frequency Of Sex Questioned (Press, 4 January 1988)
A study conducted for the National Centres for Disease Control has revealed intriguing insights into the transmission of A.I.D.S. (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) among heterosexual couples. Published on 4 January 1988, the research examined 80 A.I.D.S. patients, comprising 55 men and 25 women, alongside their spouses. Notably, the study found that frequency of sexual relations does not necessarily correlate with the risk of transmission. Among the findings, it was reported that two husbands contracted the virus after engaging in sexual relations with their wives, who were A.I.D.S. positive. Additionally, out of the 55 wives of infected men, 10 were also infected. However, strikingly, eleven wives of infected husbands remained free of the virus despite having engaged in sexual relations more than 200 times since their spouses were diagnosed. Conversely, one woman contracted the virus after a single sexual encounter with her infected husband. Researchers highlighted that these results indicate the risk of transmission is not simply dependent on how many sexual encounters occur with an infected partner. Condoms were rarely used by the couples involved, many of whom were unaware of their spouses’ A.I.D.S. status. This underscores a concerning trend, particularly since heterosexual transmission of A.I.D.S. first came to light in the United States in 1983. It is also noted that less than 2 per cent of A.I.D.S. cases are attributed to heterosexual relations, with the virus primarily being transmitted through sexual intercourse, sharing hypodermic needles, and from infected mothers to their infants. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of A.I.D.S. transmission dynamics, underscoring the complexity of the disease and the varied factors influencing risk levels among individuals, which extends beyond mere sexual activity frequency.
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