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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-07-02, Page 80" PAGE , G(3DEgICII SIGNAL: STAB:, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1986 Tamblyn dispels BY ANNEIVAREJKO CLINTON - "We know how you get it, we knoW hew to prevent it but it's still fatal because we have no cure." The well publicized disease, AIDS (Ac- quired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has had many myths connected with it since its beginnings. Dr. Susan Tamblyn, Medical Officer for Perth County, sorted out the rumors and the facts for those attending Women Today's.annual meeting at the town hall here on June 25. Some of the misleading information the public has received on AIDS has been , spread through the media. Commenting on this matter, Dr. Tamblyn said, "a lot has been very good while other information has. not been so good." To provide those interested, with the facts about the disease, the Ministry of Health produced a slide presentation about one month ago. This presentation has updated figures and can be found at the HuronsCoun- ty Health Unit. AIDS Facts The number of AIDS cases has more than doubled in Canada since 1984. During that •first year, 201 cases were reported and as of last week, there were 541 cases. Of that number, 251 were found in Ontario with only -two women and no children. "There have beenno cases in Perth, and I'm not -sure, but I don't think there are any . in Huron County," saidDr. Tamblyn. •"The cases are scattered throughout the pro= vince, but for the most part, are found in Toronto." In the United States, the 1983 figure was 1,003 which jumped to 16,227 in 1986. Those who have attracted AIDS, fail under certain categories. The highest risk group is the homosexual and bisexual population, (mainly male). So far in 1986, 81 per centhave fallen into this category; 11 per cent in the endemic area; 2.9 per cent have caught the disease through tranfusions and 5.7 per cent fall in the `other' category. In 1984, 73 per cent were homosexual or bisexual; 17 per cent from the endemic area; 1.5 per cent transfusions. and 4.4 per cent other. "The patterns have been consistent and, are staying consistent. This is reassuring because the high risk groups can get infor- mation and those not in the high risk groups are reassured," said Dr. Tamblyn. Contrary ti) popular belief, AIDS is not easy to catch. myths regarding AIDS "Everybody has the natural ability to fight off infections. This is done by the im- mune system, and it is. this system that AIDS attacks," said Dr. Tamblyn. The AIDS virus is fatal once it is inside the blood stream,, but it is very fragile outside the body and can bedestroyed with chlorine bleach, heat, rubbing aic.Qhol, detergent and Hydrogen peroxide. Dr. Tamblyn also explained that AIDS is similar to measles in the way that a person may be a carrier but necessarily come down with the disease. "There is a difference between infection and disease," said Dr. Tamblyn. "The vast majority who are infected will not develop thedisease." However, anyone infected With the AIDS virus must be considered a carrier and may infect others. At the present time, a test, is not available to find who is a carrier, but Dr. Tamblyn. Tamblyn thinks there may be one in the A third way which the virus has been future,, adding a person with AIDS is pro- spread is through infected blood. bably 'too ill to carry on activities which, "There are not too many cases of this hap - spread the disease, therefore, it is highly pening, but they are tragic cases," said Dr. likely that healthy people spread it. Tamblyn, explaining there was a small risk Virus Found In Body Fluids of this happening until November, 1985, but Also contrary to popular belief, AIDS is Red Cross now uses a screening test. not spread through tears or saliva, urine or The birth process or breastfeeding are feces, during the process of giving blood or through casual contact such as swimming, talking on the telephone, the use of public washrooms and Batting in restaurants, but is found ifi body fluids such as blood and semen. - "The virus must get into the bland• stream,V said Dr. Tamblyn, adding sexual intercourse between homosexuals and bisexual is a high risk activity. She also said it is possible for a male to in- fect a female. "It's not as likely, but it can happen." Another way in which the virus enters the blood stream is through contaminated needles. "In New York, New Jersey and Miami those using drugs used .contaminated needles...Sterile needles are available in Canada but not in New York," explained Dr. A SALUTE TO YOUR- COMMUNITY EWSPAPER CARRIE Goderich Signal -Star CARRIER DAY - Thursday, July 3, 1986 Mike Huber Aaron Duckworth Sean Bloch Tina Hamilton Leslie Meyers • Chris -Erb Michael Biggin Nadia Davidson Sandy Chambers. Mary Jane Kingsley Nancy Kingsley Picture Not Available... Andrew McLarty Ian McKinnon Nicole Anderson Chris Colbourne 'MasonJeffrey Doug Rivers Connie Huber Norman MacLennan Marc Melick Shelley Carver Chuck MacLennan Steve Sturdy Jackie Chambers once a week,52 weeks a year, to We depend on them , • deliver our newspapers. And so do you.. They re our car- riers,del, boys and . irlsR making sure your ;paper reaches you. g • not often we take time from our daily :concerns to say Itsjobwell but for Carver Day we would Thanks for a done," our sincere a . Ike to extend appreciation all ofyou who complete the final link and deliver -weekly. ,. p• We will be honouring our carriers with 'a -- complete tour of The Signal -Star Publishing plant where they will be able to meet our staff and enjoyd6ae .a Tight lunch, ul 1986 Thursday`, J y 3, ,,®.► C 1 also ways ill which the Trus cam 6e spread if the mother is infected. . Sy(mptens • Swollen lymph glands, presistant night sweats, severe tiredness, less of weight and diarrhea on to of kaposi#s. t s c carinii, , cancer), pneumocyst ,(pneumonia), other Qpportuaistis infections or neurological disorders (nervous system) are symptons of AIDS. Good News, Although preventive measures is the only vaccine available; there is good news regar- ding the disease. The virus has been isolated, there is an antibody test, it is not highly contagious, the medical profession knoWs which people are in the high risk group and there is a public health system. . Dr. Tamblyn also pointed out that no cases of health care workers who work with AIDS patients have aquiredthe disease. Also, nine studies have shown that partners and families of AIDS victims have not been infected. ' "This is why, when teachers and officials -become concerned, we can say we think there is no risk." Dr. Susan Tamblyn graduated in medicine from the University of Western ' Ontario in .1967. She did her postgraduate training . at McGill and the University of Toronto, obtaining a diploma in Public Health and a Fellowship in Community Medicine from the Royal College of Physi- cians and Surgeons. After two years medical work in Uganda, in 1974 she became Medical Officer of Health and Director of' the Perth District Health Unit which has its headquarters in Stratford. Dr.Tamblyn is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Western and lectures regularly to medical students. She has been active in many organizations and task forces and is a past -president of the Society of Medical Officers of Health of On- tario. Currently she is a member of the Na- tional Advisory Committee on Immuniza- tion and President of the Community Health Alumni Association at the University of Toronto, Women Today is active in` Huron • County CLINTON - Women Today has been active on a number of boards, committees and issues during the past year. They have tackled subjects ranging from pay equity to midwifery. ' . At the organization's annual meeting on June 25 at the town hall, president Debbie Selkirk briefly outlined a number of projects • Women Today have been involved in during the past year. One of the major projects has -been Women iBeing Well, which has been• run by Valerie Bolton with Sally" •Rathwell's assistance. From this project, 10 self-help groups have been set up in Huron County to help other women deal with problems such as illness, separation or divorce, the death of a loved one or a special experience 'such as the birth of a child. Those 'running the self-help groups have learned how to organize them by taking a self-help facilitator's training course. The purpose for Women Being Well is to create a Self-help network. Another major project is called Reaching Out which has three objectives. The first objective is to maintain a theatre group. -This; group performed Side Effects last year and a theatre self-help group will put on. Vital Signs this fall. Vital Signs is a play which deals with economic issues of nurses. The second objective of Reaching Out is to produce a booklet on women's employment issues. Two -thousand surveys will be taken of women in Huron County and the concerns which come forward from these will be made into a one day workshop. The, third objective is to help women net- work with each other in their place of employment. Grants are also available for women wishing to go on. conferences. Members of Women Today have also been active, sitting on the Family Violence Task Force, the Board of Survival Through Friendship House located in Goderich, Com- munity and Social Service Council and Youth Needs - Assessment Committee to name • but a few. - As a group, Women Today have prepared briefs for the consultation panel on pay equi- ty and the federal task force on day care. They have also been active on the midwifery issue. As for future plans, Women Today members plan to be as active in the upcom- ing year as they have been in the past. Board Members The Board of Directors for the upcoming year will consist ' of : Diane . Klopp, Bev t Teeter, Alison Hollingworth, Susan Hundertmark, Fran McQuail, Jean Schoe- ble, Judy McMichael, Debbie Wilbee, Beth Fulton and Pauli Sommer. The executive will be elected during a board member meeting. AS ecial - Thank Youni. II Alt' of us at the Goderich Signal -Star would like:to take this time to extend our warmest thanks to the many people who have.supported the Carrier Boys and Girls and Joined our family of home delivery customers. the carriers Very. much appreciated your support during our recent new subscription drive contest. Here's hoping• you will enjoy home delivery of your community newspaper 1, y l � you each Week Prizes for `the much as io err'o e b i:fi' et it tel p ontest tehoWrt,at right) will be. awarded to the 'citrriele oh Thursday. a Subscription Gave � PRIZES FOR 'S11113SCPIPTIOK1 DRIVE 1 3, Double Pass to Park theatre . , • '4.. 6, Cassette or Aibunr from Sam the Record Man . a division of Carman Electronlcs (810, Value) 7 10, Kodak insternatic Camera from Cempbeil'a Cameras (824. Value) Velne) Over 10, Wri§tWatch by Larus• from llnstett Jewellers (837.96�10���L•4EiG9° GRAND 01112E10 H1GHEta'i N W SUGSC� A i1/C.,it -20C Stereo Panto Catteette Recorder tr in Chiaholrn`s'- (t59. Value) Junior Aggies well under way - The first • week of the '1986. Junior Agriculturalist program is, well under way. Urban students are getting their first taste of what life on the farm is all about. The program enables young people with no previous farmi background to establish a solid fo ` • tion in practical farm experience. Thu,,; ost farmer benefit's from the program extra help during the summer months as well as having- the op- portunity to pass.- on his skills . to eager students. This is the 15th year,of operation for the program with efforts being made to con- tinue _the success from previous years. are 15 Junior A ricuitu'ralists plaeed Thereg throughout Huron County, Before•starting the program, each student was required to attend an orientation in whidi both farm safety and life on the farm were topics of discussion.