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.

　　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.

　　"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.

　　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.

　　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.

　　Sha said many people call the hot line after developing symptoms such as fevers or skin rashes.

　　"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.

　　Doctors also provide callers with treatment information.

　　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.

　　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.