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Purpose: The number of women aged 45 years and older infected with the HIV virus continues to increase. This study sought to identify, from the voices of midlife and older women living with HIV, the factors in their lives that put them at risk for HIV, so as to improve HIV-prevention efforts for women of this age group. Design and Methods: In this qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 24 HIV-positive women, aged 45 to 71 years, regarding their exposure to HIV. Results: From these narratives, we identified five individual factors or themes that put women at risk for HIV: drug and alcohol abuse; not knowing the HIV-risk histories of male sexual partners; mental health issues, including physical or sexual abuse and life crises; taking risks for the sake of relationships; and lack of HIV-prevention information. These individual factors and sociocultural factors related to gender, age, and race and ethnicity were organized into a model of HIV-risk factors for midlife and older women. Implications: This model identifies themes to be addressed in HIV-prevention policy, practice, and research in order to reduce the number of new cases of HIV infection among midlife and older women.

Hand hygiene is a key element in preventing the transmission of cold and flu viruses. The authors conducted an experimental-control design study in 4 campus residence halls to determine whether a message campaign about hand hygiene and the availability of gel hand sanitizer could decrease cold and flu illness and school and work absenteeism. Their findings indicate that students who were exposed to the message campaign and provided with gel hand sanitizer increased their knowledge about the potential health benefits of hand washing and sanitizer use; they reported higher rates of hand washing and using sanitizer than did the control group. These students also experienced fewer cold and flu illnesses during the study than those in the control group and missed fewer class or work engagements because of colds or flu. Conducting a health promotion campaign in residence halls may therefore help prevent colds and flu and decrease absenteeism on university campuses.Key Words: absenteeism, colds, college students, hand washing, upper respiratory infection

Explores how educational experience organized around students' use of a world wide web (WWW)-controllable atomic force microscope (AFM) influenced student understanding of viruses. Conducts a unit on viruses for two high school biology classes, which incorporated the use of WWW-controllable AFM. Suggests that the use of this technology as a tool for learning about the morphology of materials too small to see may be beneficial. (KHR)

A study involving 1,235 residents of Sonoma Developmental Center found 3 residents had hepatitis C virus infections, and 633 had past or current hepatitis B virus infections. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection rose rapidly with longer residence in institutions. Hepatitis A virus infection had occurred in 494 residents. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Discusses fungal, bacterial, and viral infections that may strike athletes during competition, highlighting possible risks of hepatitis, herpes, and HIV. Athletes generally are more at risk off the playing field than while competing. Requiring immunizations against measles and hepatitis B prior to college admission would eliminate two diseases. Education is essential in considering risks to athletes from contagious diseases. (SM)

Examines three recent popularized accounts of emerging lethal viral strains within the context of a late 19th-century rationale for imperialism: the ideologeme of scenic contamination, which justifies imperialism as a defensive measure. Notes how the three texts present ideologically charged images of the Third World and its relationship to the West as objectively based scientific "fact." (SR)

The body of knowledge associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) represents complexity not present in any other disease. A controlled vocabulary and classification structure used to organize the body of knowledge associated with HIV/AIDS is discussed. (Author/AEF)

Cytomegalovirus is the most common cause of congenital virally induced hearing loss. Maternal infection is most often asymptomatic as is the infection in the newborn. Hearing loss occurs in both clinically apparent infection and in the asymptomatic infection. Current methods of detection, treatment, and prevention and research efforts are presented. (Author/CR)

Maintains that since the start of the AIDS epidemic disease prevention efforts have assumed a relatively unproblematic relationship with pedagogy, identity, and the anticipated outcomes of health promotion initiatives. Argues that there is a need to take account of a diverse range of subject positions and identities in future interventions. (MJP)

Develops an analogy between viruses and ideas. Suggests that ideas, like viruses, can invade and infect us and that immune systems need to be developed to prevent future infection of destructive ideas. Discusses implications of the virus-idea analogy for the counseling profession, including counselors' susceptibility to infectious ideas which they in turn transmit to their clients. (Author/PVV)

Presented is an activity in which students make models of viruses, which allows them to visualize the shape of these microorganisms. Included are some background on viruses, the biology and geometry of viruses, directions for building viruses, a comparison of cells and viruses, and questions for students. (KR)

Examines poliomyelitis in the United States by reviewing clinical manifestations and outcomes, history, recent epidemiologic characteristics, characteristics of currently available vaccines, controversies surrounding vaccination policy, current poliovirus vaccination recommendations, and prospects for worldwide eradication. Poliomyelitis remains an important health problem in much of the developing world. (SM)

Instructions are given for constructing two models, one to illustrate the general principles of symmetry in T=1, T=3, and T=4 viruses, and the other to illustrate the disposition of protein subunits in the T=3 plant viruses and the picornaviruses. (Author/CW)

Contrasted are DNA viruses, RNA viruses, and RNA retroviruses. The structure, genome, and replication of retroviruses are discussed. The discovery, structure, and action of the HIV virus are described. A list of 17 references is included. (CW)

Emerging technologies are quickly becoming part of daily learning and teaching endeavors in academia. Due to the access to certain high-tech tools educators must learn how to integrate these tools in educational settings. However, many also encounter problems and weaknesses in the same high-tech environment that uses and delivers information through computer networks. Issues range from maintaining secure networks in classrooms to having a better quality learning environment for students and faculty to use and share information systems. Today, it is a common practice for most universities to use networked computers that enable users to communicate freely with each other. However, only a few students, faculty members and administrators are aware of the risks and vulnerabilities that exist in their network operating systems. In this article, the authors address how students, faculty and administrators can become more knowledgeable of the vulnerabilities in high-tech classrooms.

Potential extinction of the human smallpox virus lies in the hands of a few scientists and policymakers. Whether this decision should be made can serve as an excellent issue for extended, focused classroom discussion. Outlines the history of smallpox, illustrates the debate, and describes preparation needed before discussing the issue. Also contains a list of resources. (Author/PVD)

Discusses symptoms, prevention, and treatment of the flu. Also discusses effects of antibiotics on colds. (RJC)

Discusses appropriate steps to be taken in a day care setting to minimize the known risks associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV). Explains what CMV is; why people should worry about CMV; how it is spread; and how it can be treated and prevented. Suggests a number of hygiene practices for use in day care centers. (RWB)

Reviews differing theories surrounding the mystery of how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system. Claims that understanding how HIV triggers immune-cell depletion may enable researchers to block its effects. New knowledge could reveal strategies for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) therapies that go beyond the drugs that patients currently take to slow replication of HIV. (CCM)