VOL.101,NO.56
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
KANSAS STATE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TOPEKA KS 60612
ADVERTISING:864-4358
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1991
NEWS:864-4810
HIV testing expected to increase in Lawrence
Watkins and health department offer free screening options
Kansan staff writer
By Kerrie Gottschaim
After Magic Johnson announced last week that he had tested positive for HIV, local health officials predicted an increase in the demand for HIV testing at the University of Kansas and in Lawrence.
Charles Yockey, chief of staff at the N.C. State Board of Education said he already had seen an increase in
Watkins had several patients walk in and request to be tested, Yokoya said.
"I think we have done more today than we have all month," he said Friday.
Johnson, who played as a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers for 12 seasons, announced Thursday that he was retiring from basketball because he
had tested positive for HIV, the virus that precedes AIDS. Johnson led the Lakers to five NBA championships.
The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department reported that requests for HIV testing had not increased on Friday.
"I do think there will be an increase in the near future," said Kay Kent, director of the health department. "We're confident, we were seeing an increase."
Health department statistics reveal a 39-percent increase in HIV tests administered in July, August and September of 1991 compared to the same months in 1990. October's statistics were not immediately available.
The health department provides HIV testing to the public in which patients do not have to give their real names, Kent said. She said patients
received pre- and post-test counseling appointments and receive test results within two weeks.
Blood samples are tested for free by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in Topeka, Kent said.
Students can be tested two ways at Watkins, Yockey said.
Watkins performs anonymous testing, which is done the same way as the health department's testing.
However, appointments for anonymous testing at Watkins are booked through the middle of the spring semester, Yockey said.
The other form of testing is confidential testing. Patients can walk in and request to have an HIV Test. The results are returned within five days.
Confidential testing requires that
personal information be given, but Yockey said the results of the confidential test could not be revealed to anyone unless the patient signed a release form.
"We do have HIV-positive students who know it and who are being treated for it," said Janine Demo, coordinator of Watkins' health education department.
She said from 50 to 60 KU students probably were HIV-positive if national statistics that reported that one in every 500 college students had HIV were accurate.
Watkins' health education department provides pamphlets and brochures about HIV testing and AIDS, and health educators also are available to answer student questions. Demosaid.
Spectrum of HIV infection
Being infected with HIV is not the same as having AIDS. HIV causes a spectrum of conditions and symptoms.
Infected No symptoms Mild symptoms AIDS
- The scientific name for HIV is human immunodeficiency virus.
- AIDS is the most severe, life-threatening form of HIV. AIDS attacks the body's immune system and decreases the body's defense against infection. People with AIDS develop a group of related symptoms and disorders, such as cancer or pneumonia.
- On the average, it takes about 10 years from the time HIV is diagnosed to the time when serious symptoms develop.
- HIV may progress slowly or quickly along the spectrum of HIV infection.
- Anti-viral drug therapy can slow significantly the progression of HIV.
Source: American College Health Association, The Associated Press Joseph Lies/KANSAN
Kansas center Greg Ostertag hold of a loose bali in an exhil
Veterans
Instructor says mi leadership importa
When World War I ended in 1918, 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11thr
This day was known as Armistice it originally was intended to recog who died in World War I.
By Mauricio Rios
Kansan staff writer
Ray Rhod, army instructor, sai- erans Day was important because ed the importance of leadership in tary.
"We have military veterans because he cared enough to protect the live." Rhodd said.
Today, Veterans Day is a tribute erans, past, present and future, sai ROTC major.
A year later, President Woodrow
proclaimed Nov. 11 as the date to
more than 100,000 Americans who
lives fighting the war.
These are leaders who influence cal process and leaders who make happen, he said.
impacts the battlefield, says the
Rhoad said that ROTC taught士
leaders in the civilian world as well
military world.
The purpose is to maintain visi importance of the military,he said.
alive, were people of all races.
"American people need to be e proud of the veterans," he said.
hive, were people of an age.
"They are men, and they are wome"
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