The AIDS Myth

I'm sure we have all heard at one time or another the myth that HIV/AIDS is a disease of homosexual men. The history of HIV/AIDS is:
Before 1970s
- HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) probably transfers to humans in Africa between 1884 and 1924.
- HIV probably enters Haiti around 1966.
1970s
- HIV probably enters the United States around 1970.
- African doctors see a rise in opportunistic infections and wasting.
- Western scientists and doctors remain ignorant of the growing epidemic.
1981
- AIDS is detected in California and New York.
- The first cases are among gay men, then injecting drug users.
1982
- AIDS is reported among haemophiliacs and Haitians in the USA.
- AIDS is reported in several European countries.
- The name “AIDS” – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – is created.
- Community organisations in the UK and USA promote safer sex among gay men.
1983
- AIDS is reported among non-drug using women and children.
- Experts become more confident that the cause of AIDS is infectious.
- Three thousand AIDS cases have been reported in the USA; one thousand have died.
1984
- Scientists identify HIV (initially called HTLV-III or LAV) as the cause of AIDS.
- Western scientists become aware that AIDS is widespread in parts of Africa.
- The world's first needle exchange program is set up in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
1985
- An HIV test is licensed for screening blood supplies.
- AIDS is found in China, and has therefore been seen in all regions of the world.
1986
- More than 38,000 cases of AIDS have been reported from 85 countries.
-Uganda begins promoting sexual behaviour change in response to AIDS.
1987
- AZT is the first drug approved for treating AIDS.
- The UK and other countries act to raise awareness of AIDS.
1988
- The American government conducts a national AIDS education campaign.
- Health ministers meet to discuss AIDS and establish a World AIDS Day.
1990
- Around 8 million people are living with HIV worldwide, according to estimates made later.
1991
- Thailand launches Asia’s most extensive HIV prevention programme.
1993
- AZT is shown to be of no benefit to those in the early stages of HIV infection.
1994
-AZT is shown to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
-Infant HIV infections begin to fall in developed countries, due to use of AZT.
1995
- The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) is established.
1996
- Combination antiretroviral treatment is shown to be highly effective against HIV.
- In developed countries, many people begin taking the new treatment.
- Annual global spending on AIDS in low- and middle-income countries is $300 million.
1997
- AIDS deaths begin to decline in developed countries, due to the new drugs.
- Brazil is the first developing country to begin providing free combination treatment.
- In other developing countries, only a tiny minority can access treatment for HIV.
- Around 22 million people are living with HIV worldwide, according to estimates made later.
2000
- President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa voices support for AIDS dissidents.
2001
- At a UN Special Session, world leaders set long-term targets on HIV/AIDS.
2002
- The Global Fund is established to boost the response to AIDS, TB and malaria.
- Botswana begins Africa’s first national AIDS treatment programme.
2003
- AIDS drugs become more affordable for developing countries.
- The “3 by 5” campaign is launched to widen access to AIDS treatment.
- The first AIDS vaccine candidate to undergo a major trial is found to be ineffective.
2004
- America launches a major initiative called PEPFAR to combat AIDS worldwide.
- After much hesitancy, South Africa begins to provide free antiretroviral treatment.
2006
- Circumcision is shown to reduce HIV infection among heterosexual men.
- 28% of people in developing countries who need treatment for HIV are receiving it.
- Annual global spending on AIDS in low- and middle-income countries is $8.9 billion.
- It is estimated that $14.9 billion would be needed for a truly effective response.
2007
- Around 33 million people are living with HIV, according to revised estimates.
- Another major HIV vaccine trial is halted after preliminary results show no benefit.
2008
- A controversial Swiss study claims people adhering to ARVs have a "negligibly small" risk of transmitting HIV through unprotected sex.
- PEPFAR is reauthorised, committing $48 billion for the next five years.
- Michel Sidibé is named as new head of UNAIDS as Peter Piot steps down.
2009
- President Obama announces the removal of the travel ban that prevents HIV-positive people from entering the US.
- 4 million people in developing and transitional countries are receiving treatment for HIV; 9.5 million are still in immediate need of treatment.

After reading the history of the discovery of HIV/AIDS, I would like to contend that HIV/AIDS is not a disease that ONLY gay men can contract.

Some Facts:
Around 48% of all people diagnosed with AIDS in America were probably infected with HIV through male-to-male sexual contact, while people exposed through heterosexual contact comprise around 17% total AIDS cases. Since the beginning of the epidemic, the number of heterosexual infections has increased dramatically. According to CDC estimates, heterosexual contact led to about one third of new AIDS diagnoses and one third of new HIV diagnoses in 2006.
Around one fifth of all adults and adolescents diagnosed with AIDS have been female, although among new AIDS diagnoses in 2007, this proportion was 27%. Of the 34 states with a history of confidential name-based reporting, 31% of HIV diagnoses in 2007 were attributed to women. Of these states, the HIV diagnosis rate in 2007 was higher for males (38.8 per 100,000 population) than females (12.9). This is reflected in 2007 AIDS diagnoses with the diagnosis rate for males (21.6 per 100,000 population) again being higher than that of females (7.5).
Of the estimated 9,209 children under 13 years of age who have been diagnosed with AIDS within the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 8,434 (92%) were probably infected with HIV through mother-to-child transmission. Most others were infected through receipt of blood, blood products or tissue. In 2007, 159 children were diagnosed with HIV, and 28 were diagnosed with AIDS. (avert.org)

More Info:

Despite the fact that many associate HIV/AIDS with IV-drug users, prostitutes and homosexual men, Hofmann maintained that 48 percent of those infected worldwide are, in fact, women. What's more, the number of those infected in the United States is on the rise, yet most people tend to associate the disease with other countries, particularly those in Africa. "We don't think that it's here, [but] in some pockets [of the country] it's worse," Hofmann noted. Providing some statistics, she explained that the rate of infection in Washington, D.C., for example, is one in 20, which is worse than in some sub-Saharan areas in Africa."As long as people don't see [HIV/AIDS in the public domain], stigma will exist," Hofmann asserted. "Around the world, it is not stigmatized as much as it is here [in America]." (media.www.concordy.com)

So is HIV/AIDS a disease of gay men? If so how? And if not, why do some continue to feel this is true