Fourth Dimension

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released some chilling statistics: HIV infection is now the fourth largest killer in the world. AIDS accounts for more deaths than cancer, and is catching up fast with such «leaders» as cardiovascular diseases, injuries, and acute respiratory conditions among the elderly.

AIDS has been rampant on the planet for more than 20 years now. During this time it has taken a heavier toll of human lives than all other infections put together: more than 11 million. The number of HIV carriers in the world defies tally. Mortality from this plague of the 20^th century has been growing dramatically every year. There is no antidote against AIDS, nor- terrible though this may sound — is one forthcoming in the foreseeable future.

Some purported AIDS vaccines have been developed in the world. These vaccines are, in particular, touted by the United States, Thailand, Switzerland, and a number °f African states. Yet, first, the majority of medical

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experts in the world as well as the WHO doubt the effectiveness of such drugs and, second, each vaccine is subject to tests lasting at least six to eight years.

The first AIDS-related death in this country was registered in 1987. Now the situation in Russia is changing for the worse. This is evident from Health Ministry statistics. The situation is worst in Moscow and the Moscow Region; next come the Kaliningrad Region, the Krasnodar Territory, the Rostov Region, the Tver Region, and the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Yet Russia does not expect an upsurge in AIDS mortality until five to ten years from now. Civilized countries, on the contrary, believe that early next century, the death toll from this terrible disease will decline. These countries are already using unique AIDS treatment methods which, however, are only effective in the early stages of the infection. It can prolong a patient's life by 10 to 20 years, or even more. Still, the cost is prohibitive for an overwhelming majority — 90 percent, according to some estimates — of those infected: It costs as much as $ 10,000 a year to take a course of treatment.

In Russia, this figure appears way beyond the means of the vast majority of patients and indeed the state itself. The health authorities do their best for research in the field of AIDS treatment and in AIDS prevention projects.

II. Give Russian equivalents for:

To release some chilling statistics; to take a heavy toll of human lives; the foreseeable future; AIDS-related deaths; an upsurge in mortality; to prolong a life; an overwhelming majority; prevention projects.

3. Reproduce the situations in which the above word-combinations may be used.

4. Give reasons in accordance with which:

1. HIV infection is the fourth largest killer in the world;

Sociology. Unit XII I ⁴³⁵

2. Medical experts doubt the effectiveness of drugs against AIDS;

3. The situation in Russia is changing for the worse;

4. An overwhelming majority can't take a course of treatment.

V. Divide the article into logical parts.

VI. Review the article.

VII. J/ you are to interview a HIV infection victim, what possible questions would you ask him?

Text3

I. Read and translate the text: