warning yesterday. Far too many people have sent conflicting messages to the public on the dangers of AIDS, leaving some of those who are at risk to think that they are not vulnerable. Myths are leading to deaths.

The young seem to think that they cannot get AIDS because it is an older person's disease. Maybe that is because AIDS can take some 10 years to develop.

Some people maintain that a person who is HIV positive does not have AIDS. We have heard it said that Magic Johnson does not have AIDS because he is not yet sick. That kind of confusion is extremely dangerous. If you are HIV positive you will have AIDS and you can give others AIDS.

People too often think that a healthy looking person cannot give them AIDS.

That is used as an excuse not to use condoms, yet a healthy looking person can be HIV positive.

Young gays, often like young heterosexuals, claim they will not be infected because AIDS is a disease of older men.

Heterosexuals ignore safe sex because they convince themselves that AIDS is a disease of gays and IV drug abusers.

The excuses for not practising abstinence or safe sex are legion but they all amount to just that, excuses. They mean that people continue to put their lives at risk rather that face reality. It is human nature to take risks and risks have often led to glory. They have, of course, also often led to disaster. With AIDS, taking risks can lead to death.

Yesterday morning's front page story on the life of an AIDS victim contains the most terrifying warning of all. There are people with AIDS using their disease to murder other people.

"Joe'', the AIDS victim in the story, says that there are some people in Bermuda with AIDS who are deliberately infecting others with the virus. We understand that people with AIDS are angry and in pain but deliberately infecting other people with a deadly disease is murder and there can be no excuse.

Quoted in this newspaper, "Joe'' said, "You have some people who know they have the virus and they don't care who they pass it on to. I've been in situations where it has been witnessed. And innocent young people are involved.'' People who know of anyone with the AIDS virus who tries to pass it on or who takes chances with the lives of other people, have a duty to report those people.

Surely the fact that there might be people deliberately infecting other people is the strongest warning yet against any unsafe sex. Basic self-preservation causes people to protect themselves.

It was always clear that AIDS could and did happen to people who thought they were not vulnerable. In Bermuda it has long been obvious that the AIDS statistics are high and that AIDS is basically a heterosexual disease and a serious threat to women. Add to that one more factor. AIDS in Bermuda may be a weapon being used to kill you. You may be a victim of an angry and uncaring person who wants to take along someone else.

That is truly terrifying.