Case Studies on the HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Pandemic, 1981 to Present

In the 1980s, HIV/AIDS was an unknown and mysterious illness affecting the gay community, initially. The terminology evolved from Gay-Related Immune Deficiency (GRID) to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as the medical community gathered more information about the virus, its transmission, symptoms, and impact. According to World Health Organization, over 90 million people have contracted HIV, and 44.1 million people worldwide have lost their lives since the epidemic&s;s inception. The origin of HIV remains unknown. What is known is that HIV can be transmitted by body fluids from unprotected sex and needle sharing with people infected with the virus and can develop into AIDS if untreated. Preventive measures included monogamy or abstinence, condoms, and antiretroviral therapy, yet no cure. The first TV channel providing 24/7 news coverage developed in 1980 followed by cable, which 25% of U.S. households subscribed to. As HIV/AIDS spread worldwide becoming a pandemic, public health organizations, activist groups, and foundations became invested in raising awareness, dispelling panic, stigmatization and discrimination, and communicating new medical treatments. Case study 6.2 explores early HIV/AIDS campaigns in the U.S., while case study 6.3 covers how two celebrities created foundations for HIV/AIDs awareness, treatment, and prevention, and case study 6.4 reviews condom safety and risky behavior.