The Real Facts about A.I.D.S.
Q. What is AIDS?
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is an infection caused by the Human Deficiency virus (HIV) in which the normal body defences against infection are so weakened that the infected person cannot fight off other infections. This results in some forms of pneumonia and cancer that are fatal. It also damages brain, liver and other parts of the body. No cure has yet been found for AIDS.
Q. How dangerous is it?
All patients in Australia diagnosed as having fully developed AIDS over two years ago, are now dead.
Q. How common is it?
Dr. Whyte and Dr. Gold from the NSW Special Unit on AIDS reported 373 cases between December 1982 and December 1986 of which 192 had died. An editorial in the Medical Journal of Australia, January 1987, predicted that by 1990 some 3,000 Category A cases will have been diagnosed in Australia. However there will be at least ten times as many with what is known as Categories B and C AIDS; i.e. people who have antibodies in their blood, showing that they have had the infection but still have the ability to resist other infections. Category B show some signs of ill health, Category C appear well. It appears that about half of these will develop the full disease within two years.
In February 1988 the same authorities have reported 758 cases of Category A AIDS and 398 deaths, and are estimating that the total number with HIV antibodies was probably between 5U,000 and 90,000.
Q. Are Categories A, B and C infectious to others?
Yes. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, continues to live in the white cells of the body and can be passed on.
Q. Is it notifiable?
Yes, by code, not by name. In some states only Category A form is notifiable. Most now require notification of all infected people with antibodies but people cannot be forced to have blood tests done.
Q. How did it come into Australia?
Experts reporting in the Medical Journal of. Australia say that it probably came to Australia in 1980, being brought in by homosexual and bisexual men who had acquired it on the West Coast of USA, mainly by anal sexual intercourse.
Q. How long does it take to develop?
Research indicates between 6 and 60 months from exposure to infection to the diagnosis of Category A AIDS.
Q. How do people become infected"?
" The virus has to enter the blood stream and lodge in certain blood cells. It can be found in body fluids particularly blood, semen and vaginal fluids but also in small amounts in saliva.
Q. What kind of people get AIDS?
In the series published of the 758 cases 664 were homosexual or bisexual males, and another 24 were intravenous drug users who were also homosexual or bisexual. There were 3 other intravenous drug users. 42 had had blood transfusions that contained the virus, 8 people with haemophilia had received infected blood products and 7 reported heterosexual contact.
Q. Does this mean that only practising homosexual and bisexual men got the disease and have spread it through anal intercourse, giving blood or giving semen in artificial insemination programs or sharing needles?
No. This has been the main way in which the fully developed disease has presented in Australia and is still mainly limited to this group, possibly because of their low immunity due to a high incidence of other infections such as Hepatitis B. Only 10 women have been infected apart from blood transfusion. However it is now spreading to women from bisexual men and into the heterosexual community, particularly those who are involved in sodomy and buggery. Anal intercourse has been the main method of spread but oral sex and multiple partners increase the risk.
Four main groups are now recognised as at risk of infection:
1. Homosexual and bisexual men involved in sexual acts.
2. Intravenous drug users.
3. Those who have received infected blood or blood products before the transfusion services were able to test for antibodies and refuse donors who had been exposed to risk (Jan. 1980 - May 1985). The risk increased a lot in 1984.
4. Sexual partners of any of the above. This will potentially include all prostitutes and casual sex partners and the wives of promiscuous and bisexual men.
It can be passed from mother to baby in the uterus, during birth or possibly in the breast milk. An infected mother may infect the baby.
Any situation in which the blood of an infected person comes in direct contact with the blood of an uninfected person can allow the virus to enter the blood in sufficient amounts to cause infection. Now ambulance men, nurses, pathology technicians, surgeons, dentists and police face occupational dangers as cuts and sores may allow the virus entry. The AMA has recommended that surgeons require patients considering operations to have an antibody test so that precautions may be taken to protect staff and also to reduce the hazards of operation that could increase the danger to the patient of changing from category B to A.
The disease is not spread by normal day to day contact as in food or by shaking hands but can be spread by normal vaginal intercourse if either sexual partner is infected. It has been shown that the virus can penetrate mucus membrane and skin but the risk of infection is considered extremely low because of the small number of organisms involved.
Q. Why are some sexual practices more dangerous than others?
The organism must enter the blood stream at some stage. The lining mucous membrane and muscle of the lower bowel are not designed for sexual intercourse. Trauma may occur in anal sex. Even a hard bowel action can cause bleeding, particularly when haemorrhoids are present. So damage often occurs in sodomy, buggery and other anal violence allowing the virus to enter. The lower bowel also contains other organisms that can cause infections when spread to other parts of the body.
The lining mucous membrane inside the mouth and throat is also not designed to be used for ejaculation of semen from the penis. Gums often bleed, even when cleaning teeth. Damage can occur to either partner. Infected semen and possibly even saliva nay spread the virus in oral sex.
The vagina has a strong elastic lining wall that can even stretch to bear a baby without tearing. If the cervix is healthy and not damaged by having sexual intercourse at too young an age or by other sexually transmitted diseases, it is not likely to bleed. However the virus can be transmitted in normal vaginal sex with an infected person
Q. Will it be safe if a condom is used to prevent either the spread of infected semen or to prevent contact with infected vaginal or anal secretions?
No. It will certainly reduce the risk of infection. However world authorities, including Dr. J. Mann and Dr. S. Okawe from the World Health Organisation have stated that only a change in sexual behaviour will stop the spread of AIDS. Condoms are not the answer and have not yet been proved effective against AIDS.
Condoms may tear, be imperfect and come off and even in being removed spill semen. They need to be used with care and intelligence as advised by NACAIDS leaflet and the Family Planning Association literature. Condoms are often culturally and philosophically not acceptable.
The Family Planning Association and medical experts give the pregnancy failure rate as between 5 and 20 per 100 women years. Women are only fertile a few days of the month but AIDS can be contracted at any time. A Family Planning expert stated that one in a hundred couples per year experience a torn or split condom. People have a right to be informed of the risk.
Q. Is it possible to be sure of not catching AIDS and still to enjoy a sexual relationship?
Yes. By committing oneself to only one sexual partner who has also never had other sexual partners and is AIDS negative. This may be a reasonable pre marriage test in future. Not everyone is at risk.
Q. How does anyone find a satisfying sexual relationship without trying it first?
Sexual experimentation outside marriage is not only dangerous physically and emotionally but less likely to be satisfying.
Sexual intercourse is only the physical part of the relationship between a man and a woman. The full relationship is a source of great pleasure and joy and intensely personal, bonding one to the other in a lifetime commitment of love, trust, loyalty, companionship, communication and friendship through life's many difficulties. These are not acquired by short term or casual relationships. In fact it is difficult to develop trust and confidence in someone who has not always accepted the sexual relationship as exclusive. The bond strengthens with time and is seriously endangered or destroyed by involvement with other sexual partners in which personal pleasure is often the aim. Thoughtless selfishness may destroy what care and understanding could in time have developed into the most important shared relationship in life.
Q. Why is it so important that a sexual relationship should be a lifetime commitment'?
Because it is the basis for the establishment of family life and the rearing of children. A stable family not only provides support, comfort and pleasure for the partners but loving care, protection, guidance, security and a model for living for the children. It is the only way for children to live with their own parents.
Q. Is it right to use scare tactics and spread fear to everyone?
Yes and No. This is a dreadful, fatal disease with no curative treatment or preventive vaccine. Without a change in sexual habits and behaviour it will spread to many of the heterosexual community, to newborn babies and those accidentally exposed to infection. It has already destroyed the lives and homes of many who acquired it by blood transfusion.
The permissive attitude to sexual relationships and sexual practices in the last 20 years, particularly as shown in the media and X rated videos, have deceived many young people into accepting sexual intercourse as part of any close friendship. It is essential for everyone to realise that those who accept this philosophy are in danger.
Young people growing up should in all cases understand that anal and oral sex and drug addiction present unacceptable hazards with often irreversible consequences so that they are well enough informed to postpone sexual decisions until adult life.
Many advertisements are frightening young children. Some are giving teenagers the impression that the use of condoms makes any sexual practice safe. Scare tactics challenge teenagers to take risks and are not justified unless accompanied by accurate scientific information. Much of what is appearing in the media could be encouraging the public to believe that by using a condom they can avoid AIDS and still be part of the permissive society with multiple and sequential partners and defiant sexual practices. This is not true. It offers safer sex without explaining that the condom gives even less protection against some other sexually transmitted diseases and none against emotional trauma and exploitation. Safer sex does not offer better sex in loving, caring, lasting relationships_
This relationship appears very difficult to achieve as Australia has over 45,OOO divorces a year, a Family Law Act that allows no fault divorce on the wish of one partner and over half a million children whose parents have divorced in the last ten years, not counting those whose parents were unmarried and over 61,000 abortions in 1986. It is estimated that over 750,000 children are living in families supported by government pensions mainly with only one natural parent. Does this not mean that the ideal is impossible?
No, it means that there is a great need for better understanding of the sexual relationship, the significance of marriage and family life, better preparation and appreciation of the values and techniques involved in success in marriage and counselling services that strengthen and support marriage. It also means more protection, information and guidance for youth until they develop to an age when they have more self confidence and self esteem, are less vulnerable and susceptible to peer pressure and know better what they want in life without having taken irreversible decisions.
The biblical teaching supports chastity for men and women before marriage and fidelity in marriage with life long commitment to each other and the children of the marriage as the ideal for all. It regards marriage as a covenant made before God. It also condemns sexual acts between people of the same sex.
Some marriages break down, others may be annulled. Divorce, separation and undesired celibacy are at times unavoidable in an imperfect world. However, marriage, with the dual purpose of companionship and sexual satisfaction for the partners and for long term rearing of children, is the ideal supported by biblical teaching and modern research.
As Christian doctors we not only accept the biblical teaching but we have sound scientific support for its desirability. The lifestyle is the best for prevention of all sexually transmitted diseases and is the most fulfilling and satisfying way for men and women to meet sexual needs and provide care for families and children.
A more detailed medical statement appears in the booklet 'Christian Doctors Speak on Sex' published by A.N.Z.E.A., Homebush, NSW.
This AIDS leaflet has been prepared by a committee of medical practitioners for the Christian Medical Fellowship of Australia.
1989 B.B. Min 279:
That the assembly:
17(a) Re-affirm the resolution of the Commission of Assembly, interalia:
"That the Assembly be opposed to the distribution of clean needles on the pretence that it would lessen the chance of contracting AIDS, because it would not only be seem to be abetting the use of illicit drugs, but in fact would do so."
26(d) Write to the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister for Health, re-affirming that this Assembly believes the only true solution to the problem of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, is for each individual and the nation, as a whole, to uphold the Biblical standard of heterosexual chastity before marriage and heterosexual fidelity within marriage to the exclusion of all other sexual practices and preferences.