Facts about the Disease - How to Protect Yourself and Your Family, and Stop the Spread of AIDS

Sep 21, 2026

Leaflet-style public health information explaining what AIDS is, how it is caused, and why it is serious even though AIDS itself does not directly kill. It describes common misconceptions about transmission, emphasizing that AIDS is not spread through casual contact, schools, parties, swimming pools, workplace settings, hugging, shaking hands, or toilet seats. It outlines the primary routes of spread (sex, sharing drug needles, and mother-to-baby), and stresses blood testing as the way to know infection status, along with practical advice to protect families and prevent spread.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Facts about the disease

What Is AIDS?

How Do People Get AIDS?

What about blood transfusions?

What about giving blood?

How Can You Tell If You Have The AIDS Virus?

Can You Touch Someone Who Has AIDS?

N41987What You ShouldKnow AboutAIDS CMS LsyC2-07-13 75003scurity Bivd. s,D224 RC 607 A26 W47 1987 # Facts about the disease How to protect yourself and your familyWhat to tell others # A MERICARESPON DSTO AIDS An Important Message from the U.S.Public Health ServiceCenters for Disease Control 些 # An Important MessageFor All Americans o doubt you have read or heard much recently about AIDS.You may believe AIDS doesn’t affect you personally,but itdoes.AIDS affects us all,directly or indirectly-male orfemale,married or single,young or old,rich or poor. All of us need to know the facts about AIDS,and we need tojoin with our fellow Americans in making a commitment to do all wecan to protect ourselves,protect those we love,and stop the spread ofthe disease. For some,this means influencing family members or friends toeliminate behavior that puts them at a high risk for getting the disease.For others,it means spending time to explain the disease.For all ofus,it means not having unnecessary fears about AIDS. Families,especially,have an important role to play.The familysetting is the best place for our young people to learn about AIDS andhow to avoid it. I strongly agree with President Reagan who has stated:“Wemustn't allow those with the AIDS virus to suffer discrimination....Wemust firmly oppose discrimination against those who have AIDS.Wemust prevent the persecution,through ignorance or malice,of ourfellow citizens.” Today,with the leadership of the U.S.Public Health Serviceunder Assistant Secretary Robert E.Windom,M.D.,Americans fromall walks of life-professionals and volunteers alike-have dedicatedthemselves to stopping the spread of AIDS and finding a cure. I urge you to study this leaflet,follow its advice,and share thisinformation with others.It could save your life or the life of someoneyou love.You may also want to read the report on AIDS by SurgeonGeneral C.Everett Koop,M.D.,available free from P.O.Box 23961,Washington,D.C.20026-3961. The American response to AIDS has been inspiring.Together,we must continue to do all we can to protect ourselves and those welove. Otis R.Bowen,M.D. Secretary,U.S.Department ofHealth and Human Services ## What Is AIDS? IDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.Verysimply,it is a disease caused by a virus that can damage thebrain and destroy the body's ability to fight off illness.AIDS by itself doesn't kill.But it allows other infections(such aspneumonia,cancer and other illnesses)to invade the body,and thesediseases can kill. At the present time,there is no known cure for AIDS,and novaccine that prevents the disease. Fortunately,the AIDS virus is hard to catch and can be pre-vented.AIDS is a very serious disease,but you should know thesefacts: | l
AIDS is not spread by casual contact in schools,at parties,
in swimming pools,stores or the workplace | | --- | | 2
You can't catch AIDS by hugging,shaking hands or simply being
near a person who is infected with the virus.No person
has ever been infected by an insect bite | | 3
You can't catch AIDS from a toilet seat | “People are afraid of AIDS,but theydon't have to be.We must tell peopleabout the risk of AIDS.We must stopthe spread of the disease.The bestweapon in the world is information.That's why epery American shouldread this booklet.” -Jamie HendersonAIDS VolunteerLos Angeles,CA ## How Do People Get AIDS? ot everyone is at risk for AIDS.And people who are at riskcan protect themselves if they take reasonable precautions.Being safe from AIDS is up to you.It's your responsibility toprotect yourself—and those you love.It starts with knowing howpeople get AIDS. | Three main ways the AIDS virus is spread: | | --- | | Having sex with an infected person | | Sharing drug needles and syringes with users of heroin,
cocaine and other illegal drugs | | Babies can be born with the virus if the mother has
been infected | ### What a

FAQs

What is AIDS and what causes it?

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is caused by a virus that can damage the brain and destroy the body’s ability to fight off illness.

How can people get AIDS?

The leaflet states three main ways the AIDS virus is spread: having sex with an infected person, sharing drug needles and syringes, and babies being born with the virus if the mother was infected.

Can AIDS spread through casual contact like hugging or using shared facilities?

No. The leaflet says there is no evidence that the virus is spread through casual contact, including shaking hands, social kissing, coughing, sneezing, swimming pools, or sharing everyday items such as cups or office equipment.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Olivia Brown