How Did AIDS Start? How Did It Spread To The US?

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS is considered by some researchers to be a pandemic. Every year on 1 December people celebrate World AIDS Day to support people diagnosed with AIDS-related diseases and bring ourselves together to tear down the taboo of the illness. Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) cause a spectrum of AIDS diseases and require a blood test to be identified. AIDS was first discovered in 1981 and was co-founded by Luc Montagnier the French virologist. According to Global AIDS and HIV statistics, 38 million people are infected with the virus.

AIDS can be contracted in numerous ways. For example having unprotected intercourse, transmitting from mother to fetus during pregnancy, hypodermic needles, and a blood transfusion from an infected individual. However, many false facts and irrational fear are attached to the illness. For instance, the virus can be contracted by casual physical contact or transmitted through bodily fluids like tears or saliva. A rigid social stigma still exists against people diagnosed with the virus. They are shunned away by society and are made objects of contempt. Therefore this day is dedicated to breaking down these taboos of AIDS and creating a friendlier perception of infected people.

How Did AIDS Begin?

The virus is of two kinds HIV-1 and HIV-2. It first originated in nonhuman primates from west-central Africa. For instance, chimpanzees were the source of HIV-1, and sooty mangabeys were the source for the second category. Consecutively, the sub-Saharan region of Africa is the most affected by AIDS. South and Southeast Asia is the second most affected region. As the virus began to enter the borders of the United States, two researchers, Robert Gallo and Luc Montagnier collaborated in 1983 to explore the new virus. In 1984 they identified the troublesome virus as the Human immunodeficiency virus responsible for AIDS-related diseases.

Since people diagnosed with AIDS have been subjected to social ostracism and even shrugged away from touch. The first few cases of AIDS in the US were identified in homosexual individuals. Therefore, this spectrum of LGBTQ+ society was labeled with the fear of bringing this disease. Hence many celebrities try to use their popularity to eradicate the taboos of AIDS and convey the correct information for a conscious lifestyle.

In 1987, the late Princess Diana started the first purpose-built HIV/Aids unit that exclusively cared for patients infected with the virus, at London Middlesex Hospital. She took a brave step by shaking hands with an HIV-infected man in front of the media. Thus starting the fight to break down the shackles of the imprisoned social life of virus-afflicted pupils.

How Did It Reach The United States?

In 1981 the first five cases of AIDS were detected in the United States. The patients had the profile of injecting drugs and homosexual men who had no history of an impaired immune system. However, they showed symptoms of a particular type of pneumonia that only occurred in people with weak immune systems. Soon again many homosexual men were diagnosed with skin cancer which alerted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 1984 two researchers Robert Gallo and Luc Montagnier discovered the virus and the later received Nobel Prize for their work.

AIDS and ignorance of the disease is the cause creating unnecessary fear among people. Though the illness should not be taken lightly it can be easily avoided with protected intercourse, using fresh needles for injection, and getting tested for the virus. World AIDS Day is recognized every year to spread this knowledge thus breaking down the fear of related diseases. Gates Foundation has spent $200 million so far for the welfare of AIDS-afflicted individuals. To date, only two people who have been cured of AIDS are known as Berlin Patient and London Patient.