The Spread of HIV and AIDS

The History of the HIV Virus and the Rise of Infections Across the World

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Tracey Norman

At some point during the 1930s, an altered form of simian immunodeficiency virus, or SIV, was transferred from a chimpanzee to a human hunter. This most likely occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo when hunters handled and consumed meat from hunted chimpanzees. Those initially infected by the chimpanzees would spread the disease further, and a generation later, in 1959, a man in the Democratic Republic of Congo died due to AIDS-related complications. Using blood plasma, researchers have determined he was the first documented case of the disease in humans.

Flashing forward to the 1970s, the disease continued to spread throughout the world undetected. It reached countries such as the US and England, passing the radar of most medical professionals, and as a result, no research was performed during the decade.

By 1981, an extremely rare type of skin cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, became increasingly common among gay men in New York City and California. This, coupled with high rates of pneumonia, led researchers to believe immunodeficiency was on the rise due to a disease. By the end of 1981, 121 Americans had died as a result of the unknown disease, and the following year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, made initial predictions related to the disease. They hypothesized the immune deficiencies present in gay men was the result of an infection. As a result, the phrase acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, was coined. They also learned other groups, such as drug users and hemophiliacs, were at equally high risk of contracting the disease.

By 1983, the disease had reached five continents and was becoming more widespread in Europe. Gay men who had visited the US and individuals who had connections to Africa were especially at risk. At this point, researchers began to investigate these ties.

The disease was finally discovered in 1984 by Luc Montagnier at France’s Pasteur Institute and Robert Gallo at the US National Cancer Institute. It was named human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, due to its impact on the immune system. During this time period, heterosexual individuals with no connections to drug use or Central Africa also began to experience disease symptoms.

Throughout the 1990s, drugs to target HIV became increasingly affected. AZT was found to help prevent the transfer of HIV from a mother to a fetus, and newer, stronger drug cocktails were invented. Living a full life with HIV became a reality, compared to being a death sentence just a decade earlier.

The Spread of HIV and AIDS: The History of the HIV Virus and the Rise of Infections across the World examines how the notorious killer became one of the most feared diagnoses in the world. You will learn about the spread of HIV and AIDS like never before.

©2018 Charles River Editors (P)2018 Charles River Editors

Nothing that wasn't already known buy 2020.

pretty basic. I was hoping trip discover some NEW information about the disease. There's really nothing new and informative in the book. I was hoping trip find some newer, more recent info pertaining to 2020. I have a best friend, or what used to be, who has changed since he became sick with the disease. He actually turned mean and miserable even though the medication they got him on brought him back from the brink of death. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the disease. so I can help as best as I can. It seems like he hates me and I have him living with me. I need to get more in depth so I can understand about cancer and opportunistic infections. Also parasitic infections ?that aren't common in us but commonly infect people with lowered immune systems such as in HIV,AIDS & RA, PA other auto-immune disorders.

would not recommend

awful book. only about a third of book is about background of aids and history of aids, most is about how discriminatory insurance is and blames spread on that. wish i wouldnt have purchased.

Not what title says

This book trashes the American medical system's bigoted treatment of African-Americans. Don't expect an historical treatment of HIV/AIDS as I was looking for. This booklet is informative about the subject it addresses but it is not about the title and is limited in its world wide treatment. It addresses present issues and doesn't address the science.