As I recall, India has the largest single country AIDS population, due to the size of the population, but a relatively low incidence rate (new cases/100,000 pop/year), while 70% of the AIDS cases worldwide are in SubSaharan Africa with 20% of world population.
HIV in US, Europe, Canada and Australia predominantly a disease of gays and iv drug abusers. HIV in 3rd world is heterosexually transmitted, most likely secondary to easier access of the virus to the body secondary to co-existent treatable sexually transmitted diseases.
This weekend BBC radio carried a piece that 440 people per day were dying of HIV in Kenya. Incidence rates in pre-natal clinics in Copperbelt district of Zambia approach 46%.
Prevalence rates in pre-natal clinics in Kwa-Zulu Natal provenice in SA are I believe, 32% and up from aobut 24% a year ago. Pre-natal clinics understate general population infection rates as women on birth control are sexually active and do not go to pre-natal clinics. 20% of families in Zambia are felt to be caring for someone with AIDS.
Ralph, thanks as usual:
"Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) is both an irritant and an asphyxiant gas. The physiologic and toxic effects are:
1) perception threshold is 0.13 ppm (rotten eggs)
2) 50 ppm acts as an irritant on mucous membranes of eyes and resp. tract.
3)Above 150 ppm, the gas paralyzes the olfactory tract (smell), if exposed person not aware of exposure, he may die.
4. Prolonged exposure to moderate concentrations (250 ppm) may cause pulmonary edema
5. Sudden loss of consciousness without premonition, anxiety or sense of struggle are characteristic at concentrations above 700 ppm.
6. At concentrations > 1000 ppm imminent death due to asphyxia may occur unless artificial respiration is provided.
Given Forrest's propensity not to be truthful, and the statement that the men had respirators on hand but did not place them on, it would appear that they were exposed to > 700 ppm and passed out before they could get the respirators on. One would have to be a fool to evacuate an area without putting on one's respirators. We should all pray for them, as overall mortality is 6%, even though 75% of victims were unconscious at one point (e.g. if exposure 700 ppm but less than 1000, good chance of complete recovery) |
