A Brief History
On May 20, 1983, two separate groups of researchers published their research that indicated AIDS was caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Science Magazine. AIDS, Auto-immunodeficiency Syndrome, had been discovered in the United States first in 1981.
Digging Deeper
Instead of widespread concern and alarm, the American public reacted largely with scorn, thinking that the AIDS problem was limited to homosexuals and drug addicts, making up acronyms such as GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency), 4H Disease (for Haitians, Homosexuals, Hemophiliacs and Heroin), and referring to AIDS as “Anally Injected Death Syndrome.”
As more people were identified as victims of AIDS or as infected with HIV, the public became more concerned. An increasing number of celebrities and acquaintances of normal folks announced their infection. Although casual contact with an infected person would not transfer the virus, getting a contaminated blood transfusion, unsanitary conditions in a dental office, and unprotected heterosexual sex became known as vehicles of infection. The public became much more concerned, and slowly attitudes began to change.
Research money became more available and drugs that could slow the onset of AIDS in people infected with HIV were developed. The ultimate goal of a universal vaccine remains elusive, however. Many celebrities joined the Anti-AIDS movement and preached acceptance of those infected while asking for donations for research.
Of course, as is usually the case with almost any catastrophe, a certain amount of people decided through their religious interpretations that AIDS was some kind of punishment from God. Others believed the US government had somehow invented the virus and spread it intentionally to attack minorities. Others insist the Soviets had initiated Operation Infektion to attack the decadent West. Religious proscriptions against the use of birth control have resulted in many people refusing to use condoms and thus furthering the spread of AIDS. A common myth was that AIDS could be cured by having sex with a virgin. (It cannot.)
Since scientists have discovered Chimpanzees and Gorillas can carry a similar form of Immunodeficiency Virus to HIV (called Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, SIV) a rumor developed that Africans having sex with monkeys was responsible for the AIDS epidemic. Although scientists cannot be sure when or how the virus jumped from apes to humans, the sex with monkeys conclusion is not seriously considered.
Despite the fantastic progress modern medicine has made in dealing with diseases such as smallpox and polio, certain other deadly maladies continue to haunt the human race.
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: Will we ever find a vaccine for cancer or HIV?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Grmek, Mirko D. History of AIDS. Princeton University Press, 1993.
