HIV History Bite-size

 

1981

 

• First case studies of Gay Related Immune Deficiency reported in gay men in clusters. 

• Previously known as GRID for short.

 

1982

 

• The term AIDS was first used meaning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

• The first gay men die from AIDS in the UK.

• Communities create organisations to promote safer sex to gay men in several cities across the globe.

• Gay men and Black Africans are considered most at risk.

 

1983

 

• Gay men told to stop donating blood.

• First reports of AIDS in women and children.

 

1984

 

• AIDS discovered to be widespread in parts of Africa.

• The virus that causes AIDS is identified but not given an acronym by scientists.

 

1985

 

• Atlanta holds the first International AIDS Conference.

• Screening begins on all blood to be used for transfusions.

 

1986

 

• The acronym for the virus which causes AIDS is termed as HIV and means Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

• The first nation government backed campaign is launched ‘Don’t aid AIDS’.

 

1987

 

• ‘Don’t Die Of Ignorance’ campaign launched nationally in the UK.

• AZT is the first antiretroviral drug approved to treat HIV in the US. 

• Photo of Princess Diana holding the hand of a patient with HIV hits the headlines around the world.

• HIV testing is introduced across the UK.

• Needle exchanges are piloted in the UK.

 

1988

 

• First World Aids Day is launched.

 

1989

 

• HIV awareness materials are produced by the Health Education Authority and targeted at gay men.

 

1991

 

• Red Ribbon is used as the international symbol of HIV awareness.

 

1992

 

• 10 million people across the globe are now living with HIV

 

1994

 

• AZT shown to reduce transmission of HIV between Mother and Child.

 

1995

 

• First combination drug therapies known as HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) approved for use.

 

1996

 

• PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) is recommended for health care workers who get exposed to HIV.

 

1997

 

• Trials begin on HIV vaccines.

 

1999

 

• Heterosexual diagnoses of HIV exceed gay men for the first time.

• Government in the UK plan to routinely test all pregnant women for HIV.

 

2001

 

• Generic production of antiretrovirals are no longer opposed by drug companies.

 

2002

 

• Global Fund is set up to fight HIV, Malaria and TB.

 

2003

 

• First conviction for known transmission of HIV in UK, later appealed.

 

2005

 

• PEP recommended for use for people exposed to HIV through rape, drug use, accidents or unsafe sex.

 

2008

 

• Swiss Study claims that people living with HIV who have done so for over 6 months and have no other infections and are on treatment and have an undetectable viral load have a very small risk of transmitting the virus onto anyone else.

 

2009

 

• President Obama lifts the travel ban on people living with HIV entering the USA.

 

2011

 

• New era of ‘Treatment as Prevention’ is hailed a success as trials show a 96% reduction in transmission of HIV when a person is successfully responding to treatment.

 

2012

 

• Truvada is approved by the FDA in the USA to be used as PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis) which reduces the risk of transmission to negative people in high risk groups.

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