11.6
Wednesday. August 20,1986
Campus
University Daily Kansan
9
Lawrence ready for AIDS occurrence
By Dana Spoor Staff writer
Staff writer
The disease has not hit Lawrence, but the chance and the fear are still there.
While research is being conducted and seminars have been held on AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Lawrence has made few preparations for any occurrence of the disease.
AIDS is a disease that attacks a person's immune system, making them more susceptible to diseases. People with AIDS normally die of complications because of the breakdown of the n immune system. The only proven ways of contracting AIDS are through contaminated blood and intimate sexual contact. Unborn children can contract the disease from diseased mothers.
A laboratory headed by Charlie Wood, professor of microbiology conducts research on AIDS.
body produces to fight a disease.
Developing antibodies against a disease will make people immune to it.
"We're more concerned with trying to identify useful products for testing antibodies for AIDS virus." Wood said. "We are trying to identify a link of the virus that people will develop antibodies to."
Strobi, director of student health,
said. "We won't do anything en masse."
Antibodies are organisms that the
The researchers test genetically engineered material. The material has been designed for research to reduce the risk of contracting AIDS.
People who want information on the disease can contact Gay and Lesbian Services of Kansas in the Burge Union.
"We are still testing." Wood said.
"If a person wants to talk about it we have peer counseling. It is a person to talk to over the phone, not especially trained, but if they have feelings they want to off of their chest anonymously it helps," said Ruth Lichtward, spokeswoman for GLSOK.
We're more concerned with trying to identify useful products for testing antibodies for AIDS virus. We are trying to develop a link of the virus that people will develop antibodies to.'
Charile Wood Professor of microbiology
"We are more interested in research. We are looking at new viruses of AIDS patients."
These new viruses include one that affects the brain and nerve cells and is different from other viruses associated with AIDS, Wood said.
The lab is not the only step Lawrence is to combat AIDS.
"We have some films," James
"We do a lot of it individually. A lot of us haven't really been affected by it. Although AIDS is not a gay disease, when you say AIDS people
Wood said that one of the myths associated with AIDS is how it can be caught.
think gay."
"It it not through casual contact. It is mainly through intimate contact," he said. "It is actually spreading into heterosexual, but it still seems to be contracted in the homosexual."
Other myths are associated with the disease. Lightwird said.
"We get a lot of screwy ideas. Like casual contact. We run into that kind of attitude." she said. "It is a justification for prejudices. Once we talk to them tell them the truth, they say 'That's not so bad then.'"
People are often referred to an AIDS hotline, she said.
"We have contacts in the medical community if they want to talk to someone who has factual information," she said.
Another way Lawrence is watching out for AIDS is testing samples of blood donors.
"For the past year we have started testing," said Margaret Gray, lab technician for the American Red Cross in Lawrence.
They take blood from the donor, and it is tested for the virus. The test takes about four hours.
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