On June 5 1981 the first case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was reported.
The report came from five young homosexual mend that were diagnosed in Los Angeles. They were diagnosed with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia along with other opportunistic infections.
Between 1981 and 1989 the state and territorial health departments had reported more than 100,000 cases of AIDS. And more than 59,000 AIDS-related deaths to CDC.
By 1988 AIDS was ranked the 15th leading cause of death in children and young adults in the United States. In 1987 AIDS was ranked 7th among estimated years of potential life lost before the age of 65.
The CDC was given over 50,000 reports of AIDS from 1981 to 1987. The next 50,000 reports were from December 1987 to July 1989
People with HIV and AIDS are nothing to be afraid of. They are people just like every single one of us, and each has a story to tell. These people should be helped, embraced, and not dismissed. We need to open our hearts and our minds to them, and we just may learn we’re pretty much all the same.
— Lisa Lampanelli
Unfortunately there is no cure for AIDS, but in our modern world and day there are medications that can help control and maintain AIDS.
We know today that in order to have AIDS you need to first have HIV, which is also not curable. HIV destroys CD4 T cells, these cells are the whit blood cells in the human body.
White blood cells play a huge role in helping the human body fight off disease and infections. Without these white blood cells your immune system is shot and you become very exposed to illness, infections, and disease.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, untreated HIV is what causes AIDS. HIV is a virus that can only spread through:
- Illicit injection drugs
- Sharing needles
- Sexual contact
- Contact with infected blood
AIDS can also spread from mother to child (If mother has AIDS) during:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Childbirth
HIV/AIDS is a blood infection, which is why mothers can spread AIDS to there children during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or childbirth
“You have so much power to bring awareness, prevention and change.”
— Ashley Judd
