General+History+Of+AIDS-+SP11

It is believed that HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus was transferred to humans sometime between 1884 and 1924. HIV was derived from SIV, Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, which is found in monkeys and has been around for tens of thousands of years. There is not much known or recorded about HIV or AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This name was given to the virus in 1982 and in 1985 HIV tests were available. The virus was first discovered in the west, in Haiti, in 1966 and in the United States in the 80's. The first cases were found among gay men, then among drug users. They believed that it was a homosexual disease until women who were not drug users started to become infected with the virus. In 1987 the first drug, AZT, was approved for use in battling AIDS, it also was the year many countries started to raise awareness about AIDS. In the early 90's two discoveries were made about AZT, it was shown to have no benefit in the early stages of HIV, but it did help the mother-to-child transfer. Due to this discovery the number of infant cases started to decrease. In 1996 and 1997 deaths due to AIDS in developing countries decreased because of new drugs that are easily available. In the early 2000's many developed countries started campaigns to stop AIDS and make drugs more affordable in developed countries. In 2001 the UN started a long term fight against AIDS, in 2003 the first vaccine underwent testing, though it proved ineffective and in 2004 America launched PEPFAR, The President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief, which is United State's initiative for combating AIDS worldwide. Today many countries, such as South Africa and Brazil, are making HIV/AIDS treatments free for everyone.