An intense nationwide effort to educate people about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome has enlightened some about the epidemic's fatal effects and cleared up common misconceptions about the disease. But sadly, while AIDS has begun to appear in the heterosexual community at an alarming rate, people -- including University students -- have not altered their sexual habits.

A 1987 study conducted at Penn State shows that students have increased their knowledge of safer sex during the past few years but still are not taking enough precautions against AIDS. Several surveyed said they would not plan to use condoms during sexual intercourse. It is possible -- despite the wealth of information available on sexually transmitted diseases -- that these people are ignorant of their chance of infection. Or maybe they like tempting fate.

Either way, without the proper use of condoms one's risk of contracting the disease, from a male or a female, increases greatly. Although some students know the basic facts about AIDS, the need to educate people about the importance of practicing safer sex always will exist. But that information does little good if it is not put to use.

Two students at the University have been diagnosed as carrying the AIDS virus. And according to the preliminary results of a test conducted by the Center for Disese Control and the American College Health Association, possibly three out of every 1,000 college students may be infected with AIDS.

Although no accurate figures are available on how many people in Centre County have AIDS, seven cases have been reported in the area since the Center for Disease Control began reporting AIDS cases. Six of those individuals have died. These cases include only people who have the disease, not those carrying the HIV virus.

These statistics alone should concern students enough to start playing it safe. When a person decides to engage in sexual intercourse and activity, they should consider their potential partner's sexual history and the sexual history of their partners' partners. The exponential factor in sexual activity should be enough to caution people.

But if numbers mean little to the average person, at least the anguish endured by individuals inflicted with the disease should touch peoples' consciences. One Centre County native described the trauma this way:

"You just want to reach into yourself and rip yourself out," he said. "There is this thing inside of you killing you and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it."

The inevitable end and its psychological consequences has led to the isolation and despair of many victims. Fortunately, support and counseling programs are available for people diagnosed with AIDS and some carriers have been able to lead productive lives despite the physical and emotional pain of approaching death.

A solution to this suffering cannot be found in fear and social separation of AIDS victims, but rather through an understanding of their condition and preventative education. Panic rooted in ignorance accomplishes nothing.