The history of HIV/AIDS
Mac Cranmer
How did it begin and how did it spread
In 1981, the first cases of AIDS were found among gay men in the United States, acquiring GRID (Gay-Related immune disease) . Scientists identified a type of chimpanzee in West Africa as the source of HIV infection in humans. HIV is a sexually transmitted disease.
The effect today
1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV – and nearly one in six of those are not aware that they are infected. Approximately 50,000 people become newly infected each year. With many people not knowing they have aids it is hard for them to get treatment.