AIDS: EVERYTHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY NEED TO KNOW ... BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK (TV)
Summary
A short documentary featuring Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop answering questions from the general public about AIDS. Dr. Koop offers an introduction about the dangers of AIDS and answers questions gathered from ordinary people across the country from on-the-street interviews, phone interviews, and surveys. Topics discussed include: a debunking of many commonly-believed ideas as to how one contracts AIDS, such as via casual contact, bodily excretions, mosquito bites, kissing, sweat, public restrooms, and drool. He also discusses the AIDS test, the procedures thereof, and answers questions as to whom should be tested. Afterwards, he discusses reports of healthcare workers being infected with AIDS and the safety of giving or receiving blood transfusions. Dr. Koop answers further questions on what groups of people are the most vulnerable to AIDS, the effectiveness and proper usage of condoms, the importance of monitoring one's own sexual history, the level of contagiousness of those infected with AIDS, methods of proper AIDS education, and efforts being made by the government to both find a cure and inform the general public about AIDS. Dr. Gary R. Noble, Deputy Director of the Center for Disease Control, elaborates on the specific symptoms of AIDS: initial symptoms are similar to that of the flu before the virus becomes latent and attaches itself to chromosomes in the DNA of certain cells. Afterwards a patient might experience what are known as AIDS - related complex, or "ARC," which is similar to symptoms of AIDS but not as severe. If true AIDS results, then the first symptom could be a tumor on or beneath the skin known as Kaposi's sarcoma. A rapid and highly deadly form of pneumonia called pneumocystis pneumonia is also possible, which could be fatal if not treated quickly. A third of those infected will develop symptoms five to seven years after contracting the disease, another third will experience ARC, and the last third may not experience symptoms at all. Finally, Dr. Robert E. Windom, Assistant Secretary for Health for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, suggests conducting further research and lists several organizations that could be of help.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: October 12, 1987 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:39:03
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:15169
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Richard Barclay … Executive Producer
- Gaby Monet … Producer
- Marion Lipschutz … Associate Producer
- Vincent Stafford … Director
- Jeff Strate … Writer
- C. Everett Koop … Cast
- Gary R. Noble … Cast
- Robert E. Windom … Cast