The History of HIV

It has been quite a long journey from the time we first found out about HIV to today. The transmission of HIV began with monkeys in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease didn't have a name until August 1982; it was called AIDS--Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and HIV was identified as part of that syndrome. No one was just born with the disease, which was one of the more baffling parts about HIV for scientists. Towards the end of 1982, the increased transmission of HIV was gaining notoriety and attention. The history of HIV as a life altering disease was being written before the eyes of doctors and scientists everywhere and it baffled them.

At first, medical professionals and scientists studying the short history of HIV believed that only homosexual men were affected by the transmission of HIV. However, cases began to develop in women in heterosexual relationships as well. Additionally, hemophiliacs were at a great risk. The transmission of HIV could directly affect their blood supply, since most regularly got transfusions from the hospital. Meanwhile, his history of HIV continued to progress as the disease began to grow and inflict more and more people of both genders. The CDC began to investigate this disease.

HIV in NYC was particularly prevalent. The New York Times was reporting on cases of the transmission of HIV. More and more people were hearing about HIV and causing a panic. While experts were admitting that heterosexuals could be susceptible to the transmission of HIV as well, they were hesitant to say that the risk level was the same.

Robert Gallo and Luc Montagnier discovered the details about HIV in two separate research groups. Their reports contradicted what virus was actually causing the transmission of HIV, but ultimately, there was a compromise and parts were taken from each report. It was eventually discovered that the transmission of HIV occurred by the exchange of bodily fluids during intercourse or sharing a needle.

Individuals have denied many aspects about HIV, from the accuracy of the tests to the existence of the virus itself, for years. Luckily, this hasn't hindered the evolution of the development of HIV treatments and technology to make managing the disease much easier.

Throughout the history of HIV, testing and treatment have always been points of contention. Today, there exists accurate HIV testing in NYC, among other places. Getting HIV testing in NYC is the best place to go because HIV and NYC have always been tied together thanks to the diverse population of people living diverse lives.