AIDS - its growth, awareness and myths

AIDS - its growth, awareness and myths

Growth

In 1981, cases of a rare lung infection called pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (pcp) were found in five young, previously healthy gay men in Los Angeles. In December 1981, the first cases of pcp were reported in people who inject drugs. By the end of the year, there were 270 reported cases of severe immune deficiency among gay men- 121 of them had died.

In june 1982, a group of cases among gay men in Southern California suggested that the cause of the immune deficiency was sexual and the syndrome was initially called gay-related immune deficiency (or GRID).

Later that month, the disease was reported in haemophiliacs and Haitians leading many to believe it had originated in Haiti.

In September, the CDC used the term 'AIDS' (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) for the first time, describing it as 'a disease at least moderately predictive of a defect in cell mediation immunity, occuring in a person with no known case for diminished resistance to that disease' AIDS cases were also being reported in a number of European countries.

In January, 1983, AIDS was reported among the female partners of men who had the disease suggesting it could be passed on via heterosexual sex. In June, the first reports of AIDS in children hinted that it could be passed via casual contact but this was later ruled out and it was concluded that they had probably directly acquired AIDS from their mothers before, during or shortly after birth.

By the end of the year the number of AIDS cases in the USA had risen to 3,064- of this number 1,292 had died. By the end of 1986, 85 countries had reported 38,401 cases of AIDS to the world health organisation. By region these were; Africa 2,323, America 31,741, Asia 841 and Europe 3,858.

In mid 1980s there was intense media focus on AIDS; a frightening disease with no cure. Conservative MP Geoffrey Dickens was homophobic, he saw the AIDS crisis as another opportunity to take a hit at the gay community. Haemophallics were labelled as victims and gay men and drug users were frequently referred to as 'authors of their own misfortune'. A national public awareness campaign was published by an agency 'TBWA' to create adverts. One advert in particular voiced over by actor John Hurt electrified the UK. Dec 1 was named world AIDS day in 1988.