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I Timothy 3:15
Alarming News About AIDS
From The Flaming Torch
Can the AIDS Virus Penetrate Intact Skin ?
Can the AIDS virus (HIV) penetrate intact human skin, enter the bloodstream, and infect the body?
The answer is YES !
The mechanism by which it does this is described in the August 28, 1992, edition
of the prestigious magazine, Science.
The HIV virus has no source of mobility, but, just as most first class hotels have porters, who take the immobile baggage of arriving guests, and transport it into the hotel, the body has specialized cells which act as porters to carry the HIV virus into the body. These porters are known as Langerhans cells. Science magazine states:
"Langerhans cells apparently detect and pick up foreign invaders or antigens in the
skin. They then migrate into the circulation, where they mature into dendritic cells,
which have the job of presenting the foreign antigens to the immune cells responsible
for initiating a specific immune attack: these include the CD4 T cells - the very
cells whose destruction results in the immune system collapse of AIDS patients" (page
1212).
The report also states:
"Of particular concern is the isolation of HIV from Langerhans cells in the skin
of HIV-infected people. Some AIDS researchers, including molecular biologist William
Haseltine of Harvard University's Dana-Farber Cancer institute and his Harvard colleague
Erik Landoff, think that Langerhans cells may even be the most significant target
of HIV, partially because they can be infected more efficiently than the better known
targets, the CD4 T cells and macrophages of the immune system " (page 1212).
Can Social Contact Transmit AIDS?
The scientific facts should be kept in mind when considering whether the AIDS virus can be transmitted by blood which is spilt during contact sports, and by such things as coughing, sneezing and spitting. The fact that there is no confirmed case of the HIV virus having been transmitted by social contact, does not mean that it cannot be transmitted in this way.
If an individual took a rifle and fired 100 shots at random, and no one was hit,
it would be unwise to conclude that such random firing is safe, and that no one could
be hurt by such a procedure.
Million-to-one chances do occur, otherwise no one would take a ticket in the lottery.
People are also occasionally struck by lightning although most people have endured
lightning storms without personal damage.
The consequences of infection with the AIDS virus are so terrible that the objective
must be to prevent infections, not to merely render it less likely.
Can AIDS Be Caught In The Barber's Chair?
The Mayo Clinic Health Letter contains a section captioned: "Second Opinion - - We
Answer Your Questions". In the September, 1992 edition of the Health Letter, the
following question is asked and answered:
"Question: My barber shaves my neck and around my ears. Should I be worried about
getting AIDS ? Should my barber be worried ?"
The answer begins with the customary reassurance, which the present political climate
demands and then becomes realistic.
"Answer: The AIDS virus is fragile. It doesn't survive long outside the body. If
barbers and cosmetologists adequately clean equipment between customers, there's
little risk of getting or transmitting AIDS or any other infection."
I interpose a question - What does the word "fragile" actually mean? Researchers
have found that the virus will survive for as much as 7 days in a dried body fluid,
such as blood, and for as much as 14 days in a liquid body fluid. It will survive
within in the body for as long as the body lives.
The answer continues:
"Conventional straight edge razors, however, are a potential route of infection and
require maximum disinfection if reused. "Although soaking the razor in a solution
of one part household bleach to 10 parts of water for at least 20 minutes provides
adequate protection. It's best to avoid straight or other reusable razors."
How many barbers are taking adequate precautions?