Abstract

PIP: Since June 1981, over 1200 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control from 34 US states, the District of Columbia, and 15 countries. There have been over 450 AIDS-related deaths and the case-fatality rate exceeds 60% for cases diagnosed more than 1 year earlier. The majority of cases have occurred among homosexual men with multiple sexual partners, abusers of intravenous drugs, and Haitians. The severe disorder of immune regulation underlying AIDS is believed to be caused by a transmissible agent. Epidemiologic investigations suggest a latent period of up to 2 years between exposure and recognizable clinical illness. To reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting AIDS, the US Public Health Service has recommended the following precautions: 1) sexual contact should be avoided with persons known or suspected to have AIDS and members of high risk groups should be aware that multiple sexual partners increases the probability of developing AIDS; 2) members of groups at increased risk for AIDS should refrain temporarily from donating plasma and/or blood until specific laboratory tests are available; 3) studies should be conducted to evaluate screening procedures for their effectiveness in identifying blood and plasma with a high probability of transmitting AIDS; 4) physicians should adhere strictly to medical indications for transfusions and encourage autologous blood transfusions; and 5) work should continue toward the development of safer blood products for use by hemophiliacs.