The Origin of AIDS and HIV
The question on the origin of AIDS has sparked considerable interest and controversy since the beginning of the epidemic. However, in trying to identify where AIDS originated, there is a danger that people may try and use the debate to attribute blame for the disease to particular groups of individuals or certain lifestyles.
In order to find out the origin of AIDS, we need to find the origin of HIV as AIDS is caused by the virus HIV. The issue of the origin of AIDS could go way beyond only academic interest, as an understanding of where the virus originated and how it evolved could be crucial in developing a vaccine against HIV and more effective treatments in the future. Also, knowledge of how the AIDS epidemic and developing effective education and prevention programmed.
What caused the epidemic to spread so suddenly?
There are a number of factors that may have contributed to the sudden spread including international travel, the blood industry and widespread drug use.
International Travel
The role of international travel in the spread of HIV was highlighted by the case of Patient Zero. Patient Zero was a Canadian flight attendant called Gaetan Dugas who traveled extensively worldwide. Analysis of several of the early cases of AIDS showed that the infected individuals were either direct or indirect sexual contacts of the flight attendant. These cases could be traced to several different American cities demonstrating the role of international travel in spreading the virus. It also suggested that the disease was probably the consequence of a single transmissible agent.
The Blood Industry
As blood transfusions became a routine part of medical practice, this led to a growth of an industry around meeting this increased demand for blood. In some countries such as the USA, paid donors were used, including intravenous drug users. This blood was then sent worldwide. Also, in the late 1960′s hemophiliacs began to benefit from the blood clotting properties of a product called Factor VIII. However, to produce the coagulant, blood from thousands of individual donors had to be pooled. Factor VIII was then distributed worldwide making it likely that hemophiliac could become exposed to new infections.
Drug Use
The 1970′s saw an increase in the availability of heroin following the Vietnam War and other conflicts in the Middle East, which helped stimulate a growth in intravenous drug use. This increased availability together with the development of disposable plastic syringes and the establishment of ‘shooting galleries’ where people could buy drugs and rent equipment provided another route through which the virus could be passed on.
Tags: aids epidemic, gaetan dugas, intravenous drug users, origin of aids, origin of hiv