A brief history of HIV AIDS
On June 5th 1981 the first official case of end-stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was reported in five gay men. We now call this end stage the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Since then so many world wide (an estimated 30+ million people) have died of HIV and HIV-related causes (Valdiserri 479-481). Soon after the initial cases of Pneumoncystic carinii pneumonia (PCP) and what will later be known as HIV, reports of PCP and other opportunistic infections as well as clusters of a rare, unusually aggressive cancer among gay men. As a result a task force is formed on June 8th to identify risk factors of Kaposi's Sarcoma.
By July of that year Kaposi's Sarcoma has reportedly affected 41 gay men in New York and California alone. By December 31st of 1981 a total of 270 gay men have had severe cases of immune deficiency. In January of 1982, the first American AIDS clinic is established. Congressional hearings on HIV/AIDS begin in April which lead to an allocation of $15 million to health agencies to monitor and research the disease. December of 1982, there begins to be a trend of unexplained immunodeficiency in infants. The American public is concerned and so in 1983 a national AIDS hotline is created. Also, the tie between HIV and blood transfusions is realized and the policy for blood bank donation is questioned. On January 7th, 1983 the CDC reports cases of AIDS in the female sex partners of men with AIDS (30 Years of HIV/AIDS Timeline 1-3). By this point in time, promiscuity among gay men is no longer acceptable and most homosexuals fear the disease. Also, the general consensus at this point it that homophobia is growing in the rest of the country as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (Clarke 1-2). By September of 1983 the CDC identifies all major routes of HIV transmission. Later that year, lawsuits about discrimination in relation to AIDS are submitted, including one from the Gay Men's Health Crisis. A medical breakthrough happens in 1984 when Dr. Robert Calllo find the cause of AIDS (retrovirus HTLV-III) and a blood tests to identify the retrovirus. Also that year, San Francisco officials close bathhouses to minimize the spread of HIV. In 1985, testing for HIV antibodies in the blood is available and used by the military and blood banks. Also this year, Ryan White contracts HIV from a blood transfusion and is not allowed into his middle school. He begins openly speaking out against discrimination. Also in 1985, Rock Hudson dies of HIV/AIDS and leaves money to form the American Foundation for AIDS Research (afAR). In May of 1986 the virus that causes AIDS is finally named HIV. Then in October of '86, the Surgeon General report encourages educators to discuss AIDS with children as well as its prevention. March of 1987 was momentous for AIDS/HIV as it marks the month when the first antiretroviral drug was introduced into the market. However, this year also marked the burning of the Ray house after a federal judge required local schools to allow Ricky Robert and Randy Ray ti attend school despite their HIV positive status. December 1st was made Worlds AIDS Day in 1988. In spring of 1988 people ramp up efforts to prevent HIV transmission by starting the first comprehensive needle exchange as well as launching the first coordinated HIV/AIDS awareness campaign by sending a booklet explaining AIDS to all americans. Continuing in positive change, in 1989 the CDC releases guidelines in preventing opportunistic infections and PCP in AIDS patients. Also, funding is allocated to HIV care that eventually will become part of the Ryan White CARE Act. Unfortunately fears are again elevated in 1990 when a patient reportedly may have contracted HIV from their dentist during a procedure. |
This single event sparks debates about disclosing ones status in a professional setting as well as debates over sanitation procedures. In order to address discrimination for peoples with disabilities, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, congress passes the American Disabilities Act in August of 1990 (30 Years of HIV/AIDS Timeline 3-5). Unfortunately in 1991 fear still pervades Americans. A Time magazine article about AIDS appears with the headline, "Should You Worry About Getting AIDS From Your Dentist?" People are fearful of the disease and worry about contracting HIV from the medical community (Gorman 1). The stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS is palpable and homosexuals are sometimes seen as dirty. The lack of support and accpetance is not nation wide, for example those who are compassionate participate in the initial days of the Red Ribbon Project which turns the red ribbon into a sign of AIDS awareness. Its a good thing wide spread support happened in 1991 because later that year the world was rocked by the announcement that Magic Johnson had tested positive for HIV. The news shocked America. No longer could we sit by and pretend the AIDS epidemic was someone else's problem. HIV was indoubtly a risk for everyone, not just "ghetto dwellers, drug addicts, or gays" but all of us, including "middle- and upper-class folks who limit themselves to straight sex" (Elmer Dewitt 1). In 1993, the CDC changes the definition of AIDS making it now, those who have a CD4 count of below 200 and determine three more conditions which should be considered indicators of AIDS. Also that year the film "Philadelphia" is released. In 1994, it is suggested that pregnant women should take antiretroviral drugs to prevent transmission. In 1996 the Ryan White CARE Act is reauthorized. Clinton directs attention to AIDS/HIV in certain high risk populations and creates projects which aim to lessen the impact of HIV/AIDS in these minority groups. Also that year, the ADA is amended to include people with earlier stages of the virus and the government provides relief to those who contracted HIV through Hemophilia treatments. President Clinton claims that AIDS/HIV are a threat to national security in spring of 2000. Later in the year major drug companies work to lower the cost of antiretroviral drugs. In 2002, rapid response testing for HIV becomes available. In 2005 their seems to be a shift of focus from overall HIV/AIDS treatment towards a focus of higher risk countries and regions leading me to believe the number of cases in the US is decreasing. In 2006, the CDC releases a statement that suggests individuals between the ages of 13-64 get regularly tested for HIV. Also that year, the Ryan White CARE Act is reinstated. As it apoears that most transmission occurs when people who don't know they have HIV give it to another individual. Thus efforts to increase testing, such as the effort in 2007 which encourages provider initiated testing. In 2008, on September 27th people celebrate the first National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In 2009, Obama requests politicians to develop a strategy for dealing with AIDS. In response, the Act Against AIDS Campaign is stated along with other programs designed to reduce HIV in America. In 2010, American efforts to minimize HIV continue and AIDS United is formed (30 Years of HIV/AIDS Timeline 5-12). |
"30 YEARS OF HIV/AIDS TIMELINE." AIDS.gov. 2011. Web. 7 May 2015.
Clarke, Gerald. "In the Middle of a War: AIDS." TIME 5 Apr. 1985: 1-2. Print.
Elmer-Dewitt, Philip. "How Safe Is Sex?" TIME 25 Nov. 1991: 1-3. Print.
Gorman, Christine. "Should You Worry About Getting AIDS From Your Dentist?" TIME 29 July 1991: 1-2. Print.
Iyer, Pico. "The Magic of The Games." TIME 27 July 1992: 1-2. Print.
Valdiserri, Ronald O. "Commentary: Thirty Years of AIDS in America: A Story of Infinite Hope." AIDS Education and Prevention (2011): 479-94. Print.
Clarke, Gerald. "In the Middle of a War: AIDS." TIME 5 Apr. 1985: 1-2. Print.
Elmer-Dewitt, Philip. "How Safe Is Sex?" TIME 25 Nov. 1991: 1-3. Print.
Gorman, Christine. "Should You Worry About Getting AIDS From Your Dentist?" TIME 29 July 1991: 1-2. Print.
Iyer, Pico. "The Magic of The Games." TIME 27 July 1992: 1-2. Print.
Valdiserri, Ronald O. "Commentary: Thirty Years of AIDS in America: A Story of Infinite Hope." AIDS Education and Prevention (2011): 479-94. Print.