BE CAUTIOUS HANDLING AIDS SUBJECT
Ms. Shilpa Writes From USA

This is in response to the article Reel Vs. Real article published in chitraloka.com on 28th October 2002. Ms. Shilpa from USA has written this letter.

I just read the latest article about the Director Mr. Suresh issuing incorrect statements about the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Having worked in joint projects here in the U.S. with the Whitman Walker Clinic, which specializes in AIDS education and preventive services, I can wholeheartedly confirm the fact that a syringe filled with HIV-infected blood when injected into a person WILL put the recipient in serious danger of becoming infected as well. 

However, part of Mr. Suresh's position is true. The HIV virus does not survive for long periods of time in the open environment. For example, swimming in the same swimming pool as a person with HIV/AIDS does NOT put one at risk of contracting the disease (as long as the person is not bleeding profusely!), and neither do other forms of casual contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, etc. 

A syringe, however, is not an open environment, as Mr. Suresh believes. In fact, one of the most common ways to get infected is by sharing a syringe with someone! It's a well-known fact that in many western countries, drug addicts are given free syringes, so that if they need to take drugs and ruin their own lives, at least they don't pass their diseases to someone else and ruin another life as well. 

Until 1984, AIDS cases due to blood transfusions were rampant in western countries. After 1985, hospitals began screening blood for HIV. But in developing countries, especially India and sub-Saharan Africa, the most common ways of getting AIDS are through sexual contact and blood contamination due to poor sanitary procedures in hospitals. 

I suggest that people become more educated on the issue, because it is indeed dangerous to have prominent societal figures, such as Mr. Suresh disemminating dangerously false information to a beleiving public. One excellent website to visit is www.aids.org which has a host of information for people to educate themselves. Additionally, I wish to thank you at Chitraloka for bringing such an issue to your readers' attention. It is indeed very remarkable for film journalists to behave so responsibly in the public interest, and I commend you for that. May your tribe increase!