$Unique_ID{BRK00720}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{AIDS From Casual Contact in a Swimming Pool}
$Subject{AIDS swimming transmission Infections infection Community Social
lifestyle lifestyles sexual contact contaminated blood products sharing
needles intravenous drug abuse shooting up acquired immune deficiency syndrome
HIV human immunodeficiency virus}
$Volume{A-7, Q-23}
$Log{
AIDS is Not Spread by Casual Contact*0001004.scf
AIDS is Sexually Transmitted*0001005.scf
AIDS is Transmitted by Sharing Infected Needles*0001007.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


AIDS From Casual Contact in a Swimming Pool


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QUESTION:  Can a person catch AIDS from swimming in a pool in which a person
with AIDS has urinated by accidentally swallowing some of the pool water while
swimming?

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ANSWER:  To answer this, and the many questions concerning the possibility of
catching AIDS, let me clearly state that AIDS cannot be caught from any type
of casual contact.  The virus is transmitted in a few, particular ways.  They
are:  through sexual contact with an infected person; through contaminated
blood or blood products, the most common method being the sharing of needles
for intravenous drug abuse (shooting up); and transmission from an infected
mother to her baby during pregnancy or birth.  The circumstances described in
the question do not put you at risk.  Our greatest weapon against this disease
is to educate everyone to the true risks of transmission, and to allay the
anxieties of those who need to know more.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.