History

Theorized that hunters in Africa contracted SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus) while hunting and consuming chimpanzees. In most cases, the hunters immune systems were able to fight off the disease, but in some instance the disease transformed into HIV-1.

Later studies confirmed that the first known case of HIV was founded in the Kinshasa area of what is today the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Studies showed that half of all infections in DR Congo were now outside of the Kinshasa area, alluding to the fact that the epidemic was spreading rapidly.

A few cases of rare diseases like Kaposi’s Sarcoma (a cancer) and PCP (a lung disease) were being reported among gay men in California and New York.

Similar diseases began showing up in heroin addicts and Haemophiliacs, by the end of the year it was confirmed that the disease was AIDs.

The virus that causes AIDS is isolated and named HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)– allowing for more discoveries to be made about how it is transmitted.
The National Cancer Institute develops a blood test for HIV.

The first successful treatment to slow the progression of HIV to AIDS, zidovudine (or AZT) goes through clinical trials.

Didanosine, or ddl, is approved by the FDA to become available for HIV patients for whom AZT is ineffective. The virus becomes immune to the treatment and overtakes the drug.

Studies find that AZT treatment in HIV-positive pregnant women significantly decreases the chance of their children being born with HIV.

A study finds that the battle between an HIV-positive person’s immune system and the virus can go on for 10 or more years before the onset of AIDS.

At the 11th annual AIDS Conference in Vancouver, a therapy called HAART is introduced and is shown to drastically improve the lives of AIDS patients.

The first Rapid Test is approved by the FDA, a test that can provide results to patients in less than 20 minutes.

Fuzeon, the first fusion inhibitor approved by the FDA, is used to block HIV from penetrating the immune systems CD4 T-cells.

President Barack Obama lifts a 30 year ban preventing HIV-positive persons from entering the United States.

Gilead Sciences is approved to sell “Stribild”, developed by Atripla — a pill that combines 4 HIV medications into a single dose.

A cure for HIV moves closer after scientists discover they can snip away the virus from infected animal cells.