AIDS PATIENTS SHOULD START TREATMENT EARLIER

People infected with the virus that causes AIDS should start treatment earlier than currently recommended, the World Health Organization says.

The UN agency issued new guidance yesterday advising doctors to start giving HIV positive patients AIDS drugs a year or two earlier than usual.

The advice could double the number of people worldwide who qualify for treatment, adding an extra three to five million patients to the five million already awaiting AIDS drugs.

ZULU'S REINTRODUCING CIRCUMCISION TO COMBAT AIDS

The King of South Africa's Zulu's, Goodwill Zwelithini, said on Saturday at a traditional festival his intention to revive the practice. Studies have shown that circumcision can cut chances of the HIV virus in half.

Zulus practiced the ritual circumcision until the 19Th century when King Shaka stopped it. Shaka felt the procedure kept his men away for months at a time. The head of Kwa Zula -Natal's regional government Zweli Mkhize, said it will assist in the fight against AIDS but will not prevent the spread of sexual transmitted diseases.

DECEMBER 1st WORLD AIDS DAY

The stigma surrounding aids is still strong, but the tradition of polygamous marriage adds to the challenge of preventing transmission. Most people infected are often diagnosed too late to be saved. Some are living with HIV became infected through contaminated needles while injecting drugs.

Swaziland has the highest HIV infection in the world, with more than one-fourth of it's population is infected.

NORMANDY HIGH SCHOOL IN ST. LOUIS : AIDS SCARE

Parents were notified that as many as 50 students may have been exposed to the HIV VIRUS. They will not give the name of the infected person, but they want kids to be tested.

The testing will start in two weeks. Why does it take this long to be tested? I am wondering if the testing will start on election day or the day before. We will have to wait and see, if this is a tactic to keep people from voting.