In the United States, about 750, 000 persons have suffered AIDS. More than one half of the

But doctors say evidence also shows there is no reason for persons to become terrified by the disease. The AIDS virus is spread during sex with an infected partner, or by infected blood. But doctors say their studies show the disease is not spread through normal, close social activities.

A study by one research team was printed in the New England Journal of Medicine. The doctors studied one-hundred-one family members who lived with AIDS and lived in crowded conditions. The family members shared many personal goods with the patients. These included toothbrushes, drinking glasses, beds, towels and toilets.

Doctors said only one family member—a five-year-old girl—got the AIDS virus. They note, however, that the girl's mother had the disease. They believe the girl probably was born with the virus. No other family member in the study got the AIDS virus or showed any signs of the disease.

The head of the study, Gerald Friedland, said if the disease is not easily spread in crowded homes, it also will not spread easily in factories, offices, schools and other public places. (67) Doctor Friedland said the study also shows there is no reason to punish AIDS patients and to force them to live separately from other persons.

American health officials recently warned, however, that some health care workers should take special care. The report noted the AIDS virus is carried in blood and other body fluids. It said health care workers should put protective covers over their eyes and skin during medical operations, dental work, or other times when the patient may bleed.

(68)In the United States, most AIDS patients are homosexual people, people taking drugs, people who used infected needles, and persons who received infected blood. More recent studies show the AIDS virus also can be spread during heterosexual(异性的)relations. It can spread either from the man to the woman, or from the woman to the man.

Doctors say there is no reason for people to be frightened about AIDS because______.

A．it is not deadly

B．few people are infected with AIDS

C．the AIDS virus is not spread in everyday social activities

D．the AIDS virus is not spread during sex