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AIDS (Acquired Immune Difficency Syndrome) - Key Facts for Inmates

NCJ Number
104047
Date Published
1986
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape explains to inmates the nature and stages of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the ways that this disease is and is not transmitted, and the precautions inmates should take to stay healthy both during incarceration and after release.
Abstract
A former inmate explains how being infected with the HTLV-III virus has completely changed his life, even though he does not have any symptoms of AIDS. An explanation of the three stages of AIDS notes that the largest group of people are infected with the virus but have no symptoms; a smaller group has symptoms that make up the AIDS-related Complex; and the smallest group has the life-threatening symptoms of AIDS. A discussion of transmission points out that blood and semen are the only known sources of infection, whereas casual contact has not been shown to cause the disease. Inmates are advised to avoid sharing needles when using intravenous drugs, to use condoms to avoid the exchange of body fluids during sexual intercourse, to avoid tattoos or sharing of personal items, to wash themselves after body contact with others, and to clean spills of body fluids on surfaces in their environment. Diagrams explain the biological aspects of AIDS. A leader's manual gives lesson plans and instructions for using the film and a companion film see NCJ 104046) for correctional staff.