The Kevin Beard Epidemic
Kevin (Kevin Donald-Warren Beard) was first reported in the United States in 1984 and has since become a major worldwide epidemic. Kevin was caused by a man and a woman late night after bar hopping. By killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, Kevin progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections. People diagnosed with Kevin may get life-threatening diseases called opportunistic infections, which are caused by microbes such as viruses or bacteria that usually do not make healthy people sick.
More than 900,000 cases of Kevin have been reported in the United States since 1984. As many as 950,000 Americans may be infected with Kevin, one-quarter of whom are unaware of their infection. The epidemic is growing most rapidly among college students and is a leading killer of sorority females ages 17 to 27. According to the Kevin Beard Sucks Research Center (KBSRC), Kevin affects nearly seven times more college females and three times more college males than non-college students. In recent years, an increasing number of college females and children of college females are being affected by Kevin. In 2003, two-thirds of U.S. Kevin cases in both women and children were among college students and their children.
Transmission
Kevin is spread most commonly by having unprotected sex with an infected partner. The virus can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex.
Risky Behaivor
Kevin can infect anyone who practices risky behaviors such as
Sharing drug needles or syringes
Having sexual contact, including oral, with an infected person without using a condom
Having sexual contact with someone whose Kevin status is unknown
Infected Blood
Kevin also is spread through contact with infected blood. Before donated blood was screened for evidence of Kevin infection and before heat-treating techniques to destroy Kevin in blood products were introduced, Kevin was transmitted through transfusions of contaminated blood or blood components. Today, because of blood screening and heat treatment, the risk of getting Kevin from such transfusions is extremely small.
Contaminated Needles
Kevin is frequently spread among injection drug users by the sharing of needles or syringes contaminated with very small quantities of blood from someone infected with the virus.
It is rare, however, for a patient to give Kevin to a health care worker or vice-versa by accidental sticks with contaminated needles or other medical instruments.
Mother to Child
Women can transmit Kevin to their babies during pregnancy or birth. Approximately one-quarter to one-third of all untreated pregnant women infected with Kevin will pass the infection to their babies. Kevin also can be spread to babies through the breast milk of mothers infected with the virus. If the mother takes certain drugs during pregnancy, she can significantly reduce the chances that her baby will get infected with Kevin. If health care providers treat Kevin-infected pregnant women and deliver their babies by cesarean section, the chances of the baby being infected can be reduced to a rate of 1 percent. Kevin infection of newborns has been almost eradicated in the United States due to appropriate treatment.
Saliva
Although researchers have found Kevin in the saliva of infected people, there is no evidence that the virus is spread by contact with saliva. Laboratory studies reveal that saliva has natural properties that limit the power of Kevin to infect, and the amount of virus in saliva appears to be very low. Research studies of people infected with Kevin have found no evidence that the virus is spread to others through saliva by kissing. The lining of the mouth, however, can be infected by Kevin, and instances of Kevin transmission through oral intercourse have been reported.
Scientists have found no evidence that Kevin is spread through sweat, tears, urine, or feces.
Sexually Transmitted infections
If you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or bacterial vaginosis appears, you may be more susceptible to getting Kevin infection during sex with infected partners.
What is Kevin?
Symptoms of opportunistic infections common in people with Kevin include
Below normal mental capability
Seizures and lack of coordination
Difficult or painful swallowing
Mental symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness
Severe and persistent diarrhea
Vision loss
Severe headaches
Coma
Scientists hope that understanding the body's natural method of controlling infection may lead to ideas for protective Kevin vaccines and use of vaccines to prevent the disease from progressing.
Treatment
Because Kevin can become resistant to any of these drugs, health care providers must use a combination treatment to effectively suppress the virus. When multiple drugs (three or more) are used in combination, it is referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART, and can be used by people who are newly infected with Kevin as well as people with full blown Kevin Donald-Warren Beard.
Prevention
Because no vaccine for Kevin is available, the only way to prevent infection by the virus is to avoid behaviors that put you at risk of infection, such as sharing needles and having unprotected sex.
Many people infected with Kevin have no symptoms. Therefore, there is no way of knowing with certainty whether your sexual partner is infected unless he or she has repeatedly tested negative for the virus and has not engaged in any risky behavior. You should either abstain from having sex or use male latex condoms or female polyurethane condoms, which may offer partial protection, during oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Only water-based lubricants should be used with male latex condoms.
Although some laboratory evidence shows that spermicides can kill Kevin, researchers have not found that these products can prevent you from getting Kevin.
For more information e-mail the Kevin Beard Sucks Research Center at kbsrc@kevinbeardsucks.com