Introduction to the HIV Pandemic

The first officially documented cases of AIDS were reported in 1981 by Dr. Michael Gottlieb, a physician practicing in San Francisco.

These men were suffering from a type of lung infection caused by a microorganism called Pneumocystis Carinii (later renamed Pneumocystis Jirovecii).

The presence of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP) suggested that the patients had a severely compromised immune system, which was unusual for healthy individuals.

The initial cases of AIDS were identified in a group of five homosexual men in San Francisco.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, published an official report about the cases of AIDS in 1981.

The CDC developed a case definition for AIDS in 1982, which helped to standardize the diagnosis of the disease and aid in research.

The cause of the weakened immune system in the AIDS patients was unknown at the time of the first report.

The extensive spread of HIV/AIDS in the late 20th century made it a globally significant infectious disease.

A disease caused by a virus that weakens the immune system.

The virus responsible for causing AIDS.

Swelling of lymph nodes, a common symptom of HIV infection.

A group of viruses that use the host's RNA to replicate themselves.

The first wave of HIV spread, primarily affecting homosexual and bisexual men, intravenous drug users, and those who received contaminated blood.

The second wave of HIV spread, characterized by heterosexual transmission, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The transmission of HIV from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

Infected individuals who engage in commercial sex work, playing a role in the rapid spread of HIV.

The spread of HIV is directly linked to contaminated needles used by intravenous drug users. Sharing needles allows the virus to be transmitted from one person to another.

Early perceptions of HIV focused on associating the disease with specific groups, such as homosexual men, intravenous drug users, and Haitian immigrants, leading to harmful stigma.

The development of a widely available laboratory test in 1985 made it possible to detect HIV infection in individuals and screen populations. This significantly impacted the understanding and management of the disease.

International travel played a significant role in the early spread of HIV due to the increased movement of people across borders. This facilitated the transmission of the virus to new regions.

The first official report of AIDS, describing a cluster of cases in homosexual men with severe immune deficiency, was published in June 1981.

The initial patients diagnosed with AIDS presented with severe symptoms of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP) and other opportunistic infections, indicating severe immune system compromise.

The CDC developed a standardized definition for AIDS in 1982, which helped to accurately identify and classify cases, facilitating research and public health efforts.

The global spread of HIV/AIDS in the late 20th century made it a defining infectious disease of the time, leading to significant public health concerns and research efforts.

The cause of the immune deficiency in the earliest AIDS patients was initially unknown but was later identified as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

The first laboratory test used to detect HIV in health facilities. It uses antibodies to detect the presence of HIV in a blood sample.

Infections that occur in individuals with weakened immune systems, often due to HIV infection.

The first antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV infection. It slowed down viral replication, but resistance developed.

The ability of the HIV virus to evolve and become unaffected by a specific drug, rendering the drug ineffective.

A combination of antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV infection. They are effective at suppressing viral replication and delaying the onset of resistance.

Refers to the ability of HAART to significantly extend the lifespan of individuals with HIV, improving their quality of life.

Unlike other diseases, there is currently no cure for HIV infection. It is managed through medication and prevention strategies.

Prevention through education, safe sex practices, and access to testing and treatment are crucial for controlling the HIV epidemic.

Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a rare type of pneumonia often caused by protozoan microorganisms, and was the first sign of an unknown medical condition that would become known as HIV/AIDS.

Luc Montaigner and Françoise Barre-Sinoussi were awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine for identifying the HIV virus as the cause of AIDS.

Early perceptions of HIV/AIDS were often rooted in stigma and prejudice, leading to discrimination against certain groups.

Zidovudine (AZT) is an antiretroviral drug that was the first effective treatment for HIV/AIDS and is still used today.

The CDC published the first official report on AIDS in 1981, documenting cases in a group of five homosexual men in San Francisco.

The case definition for AIDS, developed by the CDC in 1982, helped standardize diagnosis and research efforts.

Robert Gallo, a prominent virologist, corroborated the findings of Luc Montaigner and Françoise Barre-Sinoussi on the identification of HIV as the cause for AIDS.