The History of HIV | Positive Life

2021 marks 40 years since the first HIV diagnoses.

The HIV and AIDS epidemic began in illness, fear and death as the world faced a new and unknown virus.

However, significant scientific advances, such as the development of antiretroviral drugs, have enabled people with access to treatment to live long and healthy lives with HIV.

BBC – 10^th December 1981

Mystery disease kills homosexuals

A mysterious epidemic, which has been discovered in homosexual men, is causing increasing concern in the United States. The unknown condition, which consists of two separate diseases - a form of pneumonia and skin cancer, has been found in 180 patients in 15 states since last July.

It has claimed around 75 lives so far in the US and up to 92% of the victims are homosexual men. One death has been reported from the virus in London.

Although doctors have identified what appears to be a new disease, they have yet to devise a cure. The epidemic is being investigated by the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta.