CHAT – April, 6 2000
Transcript of a conversation with CHAT, a computer program developed by the Communications Research - Chat suggests you engage in a conversation by selecting one of four subjects. The subject chosen for this transcript is AIDS:


Emily says: What treatment is most effective in fighting AIDS?
CHAT Says: In clinical trials of AZT, 145 people with AIDS and ARC were given AZT. 137 similar people were given a placebo. In the first six months, 16 people receiving the placebo died, while only one person receiving AZT died. This was accepted as sufficient evidence to stop the trials and make the drug available by prescription. It appears that AZT may increase the average survival time of people with advanced AIDS by about 1 year. Research is currently being conducted on the effects of AZT when it is given earlier in the course of the syndrome. However, AZT is a dangerous drug and its long-term effects are not known.

Emily says: What percentage of the US population has AIDS?
CHAT Says: The World Health Organization estimated in 1988 that between 5 and 10 million people are infected with the AIDS virus and 250,000 people have developed AIDS worldwide. This means that between 0.1 and 0.2% of the world's population are infected.

Emily says: What percentage of people who are HIV positive develop AIDS?
CHAT Says: The final stage is the development of AIDS itself. We do not know if everyone who is infected with the HIV virus will actually develop AIDS. It can take many years for AIDS to develop after initial infection. Once AIDS has developed, it has usually been fatal. However, it may be slowed for a while, particularly with proper treatment.
.
Emily says: Would a baby born to an AIDS infected mother have AIDS?
CHAT Says: A pregnant woman who is infected with the AIDS virus may pass the virus to the fetus. As well, there is a possibility that a woman may pass the AIDS virus to a baby when breast-feeding. Before 1985, some children were infected through blood transfusions. This became extremely rare when blood banks began testing all blood for the AIDS antibody.

Emily says: Can a baby who is tested HIV positive, outgrow this and become HIV negative
CHAT Says: If you get a positive result on an antibody test, your doctor will advise you about what to do. Most often, you will have to repeat the test. After a second positive result, your blood will be sent to a laboratory for more extensive tests. This takes some weeks. A positive result does not mean that you even carry the AIDS virus. "False positives" are common. However, if you do have a positive result, you should act as though you carry the virus. You should limit your sexual activity. You should not donate blood. And, you should watch for symptoms of the further development of AIDS. Even if you are infected with the AIDS virus, it is possible that you will never develop AIDS.

Emily says: Thank you



Other Bot Insighterviews

	Emily Turrettini | Martin Gueissaz | Partenaires What's New |  TechNews |  WorldNews |  AskExperts |  SiteSeeing |  TravelLinx |  Telephony |  ScheduLinx |  e-Commerce |  e-Trading |  Wise & Wired |  Daily Quiz |
	Awards&Reviews | About/Credits | e-Mail