HIV/AIDS History and Statistics

Discovery of HIV

Discovered in January 1983 by Luc Montagnier and colleagues (Pasteur Institute)

First reported US AIDS cases

1981 (clusters of PCP and Kaposi's sarcoma in young gay men); though cases in women date back to 1975-1981

Therapy introduction dates

AZT approved in March 1987

Global HIV prevalence (2024)

Approximately 40.8 million people infected worldwide.

Primary geographic location of HIV

Sub-Saharan Africa (67% of all infected individuals).

US HIV population

About 1.2 million people (10th largest HIV population in the world).

Women and HIV statistics

Roughly 21 million women living with HIV

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

ART / HAART

Antiretroviral Treatment / Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.

HIV Dissidents

A small group (e.g., Peter Duesberg, Christine Maggiore) who believe HIV and AIDS are unrelated.

Dissident theories for AIDS cause

Lifestyle factors (drug use, malnutrition), parasitic infections, or anti-HIV drugs themselves.

CDC definition of AIDS

CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³ (or <14%) OR diagnosis of specific clinical conditions (e.g., Kaposi's sarcoma, PCP).

Koch’s Postulates

1. Found in all cases; 2. Isolated in pure culture; 3. Reproduces disease in susceptible host; 4. Re-isolated from host

Proof HIV causes AIDS

Fulfilled via three lab workers accidentally exposed to HIV; absolute chronological and molecular links between HIV and AIDS.

HIV-1 vs. HIV-2

HIV-1 (from chimp SIV) is the primary global pandemic cause; HIV-2 (from Sooty Mangabey SIV) is less virulent and localized to West Africa

Oldest documented HIV cases

1959 (man) and 1960 (woman) in Leopoldville/Kinshasa, Belgian Congo.

Cut Hunter Theory

HIV-1 originated from human exposure to chimpanzee blood during hunting/butchering in southern Cameroon in the early 1900s.