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- $Unique_ID{BRK01990}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Mosquito Bites and AIDS Transmission}
- $Subject{Mosquito mosquitos bit Bites bitten AIDS acquired immune deficiency
- syndrome HIV human immunodeficiency virus viruses transmit transmitting
- Transmission transmissions blood contact summer infect infected infecting
- infection malaria dengue fever fevers disease diseases sick sickness illness
- illnesses African hospital hospitals patient patients precaution precautions
- insect insects}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Mosquito Bites and AIDS Transmission
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- QUESTION: Everything I have ever read about AIDS says it is transmitted by
- blood contact. As we approach the hot summer season, I have a concern about
- mosquitos, which suck blood. Isn't it possible that if a mosquito bites an
- infected person and then bites me that I can get AIDS in that manner? What can
- I do to prevent that possibility? I would appreciate your answer, as I think
- this is a very important question.
-
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- ANSWER: Apparently, there are a fair number of people who also have this
- concern; for, phrased in one fashion or another, I receive a letter with a
- question on AIDS and mosquitoes with some frequency. The simple answer is
- that there is nothing you need to do about mosquito bites if you fear AIDS,
- for mosquitoes do not transmit the infection. They can infect you with
- malaria, or possibly dengue fever, if you live in areas where these diseases
- exist, but despite all research, no case of transmission of AIDS has ever been
- reported. And that includes workers in African hospitals for AIDS patients.
- So you need only use the ordinary precautions against these annoying insects
- to prevent being bitten, insect sprays and such, without any concern of
- becoming infected with the AIDS virus.
-
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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.
-