AIDS (Hansard, 14 December 1988)

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement outlining the various methods by which HIV may be transmitted from one person to another; and what is the latest evidence available to him on whether HIV may be transmitted in saliva.

§ Mr. Mellor
HIV is recognised to be transmissible by three main routesunprotected penetrative sexual intercourse with an infected person (between men or between a man and a woman); 601W by inoculation of infected blood and blood products. In the United Kingdom this mainly results from drug misusers sharing contaminated injecting equipment; and from an infected mother to her baby before or during birth, or after birth via breast feeding.
HIV has been found in low concentration in saliva but I am advised that there is no good evidence that HIV has ever been transmitted in saliva.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest measures being taken to protect at-risk groups from contracting the HIV virus in(a) prisons, (b) Her Majesty's forces and (c) the business travelling community; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Mellor
Since April 1986 the Government have allocated £32.5 million for a sustained programme of public education about HIV and AIDS. In October 1987 the Health Education Authority was given responsibility for further development of the campaign. Campaigns mounted so far include mass media work aimed at those travelling at home and abroad on holiday or on business. In addition, new leaflets have been produced for issue to travellers overseas. These include up-to-date information about the risks of HIV infection abroad.
Educational initiatives aimed at prison inmates and members of HM armed forces are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence. However, I am aware that an educational package for prison inmates, comprising a video, a guide to its use and a leaflet, is nearing completion. Members of the armed forces were included in the distribution of the household leaflet "Don't Die of Ignorance" in early 1987 and with it received an insert directed at service personnel. Units moving overseas are given instruction on relevant health hazards, including HIV and other communicable diseases, and precautions that individuals can take to protect themselves.