Aids and the Police
Abstract
Police officers across the country are encountering the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the course of their duties. These officers, and their departmental leaders, have often reacted in an unprofessional manner when dealing with suspected AIDS carriers. The original basis for this reaction was the nature of the disease itself; therefore, a discussion of its origin and transmission paths will first be presented. AIDS is caused by a virus known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It infects and destroys certain white blood cells, thereby undermining the body's ability to combat infection. One can be infected with HIV for years without ever developing symptoms of AIDS. However, infected persons can transmit the virus even though they may not have symptoms. The National Academy of Science estimates that 25 to 50 percent of seropositive individuals (e.g., infected with the virus) will develop AIDS within 5 to 10 years of infection. AIDS, however, is not a single disease. To be diagnosed with AIDS, a patient must have one or more opportunistic infections.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA227722
Entities
People
- John P. Murray Jr.
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology