Hot line for AIDS is busy
ot line for AIDS is busy
<p>
<p>Local doctors are surprised at the strong response to a new AIDS hot line in Shanghai.The response proves that local residents are eager for information about the deadly
disease,they said.</p>
<p> The hot line has received more than 350phone calls since it opened on Septem-ber 3,said Dr.Sha Xiaoping,who oversees the project.Seventy callers have taken HIV
tests,she said.</p>
<p> "More people are taking the HIV test because they are better educated about the disease through the hot line and are more aware of the possibility of
infection,"Sha added.</p>
<p> While many people fear they have contracted the disease through drug use or unprotected sex,they are even more fearful of the stigma attached to testing positive for
AIDS,Sha said.</p>
<p> Many local residents are still ignorant about the disease,believing it can be transmitted by shaking hands or through mosquito bites,AIDS specialists said.As a
result,they ostracize AIDS patients and their families.</p>
<p> Sha said many people call the hot line after developing symptoms such as fevers or skin rashes.</p>
<p> "They have a strong suspicion,but are afraid of going to the hospital for a test.We explain the symp-toms during the virus'different stages and suggest they get
a test soon,"Sha added.</p>
<p> Doctors also provide callers with treatment information.</p>
<p> Since the end of last year,393people have tested positive for the HIV virus in Shanghai,according to official data.Medical authorities admit that the problem is much
larger than official numbers indicate.</p>
<p> Kang Laiyi,director of the city AIDS Surveillance Center,said at least 600,000people in China have con-tracted the HIV virus.The central government puts the number
at 22,517.</p>
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