So Little Time… A brief History of HIV/AIDS

1959

• Scientists isolate what is believed to be the earliest known case of AIDS. The discovery suggests that the multitude of global AIDS viruses all shared a common African ancestor within the past 40 to 50 years.

1969

• A Chicago Tribune article from 1987 details the death of a teenager from St. Louis, Missouri that occurred in 1969.

1978

• Gay men in the US and Sweden — and heterosexuals in Tanzania and Haiti — begin showing signs of what will later be called AIDS.

1980

• Deaths in US — 31 (includes all known cases 1981 and before)

1981

• On June 5th, the CDC reports that in the period October 1980-May 1981, 5 young men, all active homosexuals, were treated for biopsy-confirmed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia at 3 different hospitals in Los Angeles, California. Two of the patients died. All 5 patients had laboratory-confirmed previous or current cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and candidal mucosal infection.
• On July 4th, the CDC reports that during the past 30 months, 26 cases of Kaposi Sarcoma have been reported among Gay males, and that eight have died, all within 24-months of diagnosis.

• Number of known deaths in US during 1981 — 234.

1982

• CDC (U.S.) links the new disease to blood.
• The term AIDS (“acquired immune dificiency syndrome”) is used for the first time on July 27th.
• Larry Speakes, President Reagan’s press secretary jokes about AIDS during press briefing on October 15th.
• US President Ronald Reagan has not mentioned the word “AIDS” in public yet.

• The Gay Mens Health Crisis is founded in New York City.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1982 — 853.

1983

• CDC (U.S.) warns blood banks of a possible problem with the blood supply.
• Institut Pasteur (France) finds the virus (HIV).
• US President Ronald Reagan has not mentioned the word “AIDS” in public yet.

• Number of known deaths in US during 1983 — 2304.

1984

• Dr. Robert Gallo (US) claims he discovered the virus that causes AIDS; however, this is about a year after the French discovery.
• US President Ronald Reagan has not mentioned the word “AIDS” in public yet.

• Opus BBS is released, becoming the first mainstream software system to donate 100% of its proceeds to AIDS care/research.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1984 — 4251, including —
• Gaetan Dugas, listed in The Band Played On as “patient zero.”

1985

• The FDA (US) approves the first HIV antibody test. Blood products begin to be tested in the US and Japan.
• The first International Conference on AIDS is held in Atlanta (US).
• US President Ronald Reagan mentions the word “AIDS” in public for the first time in response to a reporters questions on September 17, 1985. See, also: Associated Press, Los Angeles Times

• AmFAR is founded in Los Angeles.
• The first AIDS-related play — The Normal Heart, by Larry Kramer — opens in New York.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1985 — 5636, including —
• Rock Hudson, film star.

1986

• President Reagan mentions AIDS in his Message to the Congress on America’s Agenda for the Future on February 6, 1986.
• US Surgeon General Everett Koop publishes a report on AIDS. It calls for sex education.
• Switzerland begins testing of blood products.

• Ben Gardiner’s AIDS BBS goes on-line in San Francisco, CA (U.S.).
• Number of known deaths in US during 1986 — 2960.
• Cumulative known deaths: 16,301.

1987

• AZT (zidovudine, Retrovir^®) — ViiV Healthcare(formerly GlaxoSmithKline) — becomes the first anti-HIV drug approved by the FDA. The recommended dose is one 100mg capsule every four hours around the clock.
• Canada stops distribution of tainted blood products.
• The US shuts its doors to HIV-infected immigrants and travelers.
• On April 2nd, with virtually no mention made in the interim, President Reagan appeared before the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, to deliver his first “major speech” on AIDS, calling it “public enemy number one.” Vice President George Bush is heckled when he calls for mandatory HIV testing.

• ACT UP is founded in New York City in March.
• A family — including three HIV-positive sons (hemophiliacs) — are driven from their home (Arcadia, Florida, US) after their home was torched by an arsonist.
• After an ACT UP demonstration, the FDA announces a two year shortening in the drug-approval process.
• The AIDS Memorial Quilt is started in San Francisco (US).
• And The Band Played On by Randy Shilts is published.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1987 — 4,135.
• Liberace, entertainer (PCP).
• Michael Bennett, Broadway director (Chorus Line).

1988

• US bans discrimination against federal workers with HIV.
• US mails 107 million copies of “Understanding AIDS,” a booklet by Surgeon General C. Everett Koop.
• FDA (US) okays importation of non-approved treatment for PWA personal use.

• Number of known deaths in US during 1988 — 4,855.

1989

• Haiti stops distribution of tainted blood products.
• FDA (US) approves pentamidine mist for use against PCP.
• After two years of intense ACT UP protests over the price of its drug, AZT, Burroughs Wellcome lowers AZT’s price by 20%.

• Number of known deaths in US during 1989 — 14,544.
• Amanda Blake, TV star (“Miss Kitty” on Gunsmoke)

1990

• Ronald Reagan apologizes for his neglect of the epidemic while he was president (US).

• ÆGIS is founded by Sr. Mary Elizabeth and the Sisters Of St. Elizabeth Of Hungary.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1990 — 18,447.
• Halston, American fashion designer.
• Keith Haring, artist.
• Ryan White, teenager, hemophiliac, AIDS activist.

1991

• ddI (didanosine, Videx^®) — Bristol-Myers Squibb — a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is approved for use in the U.S..
• 10 million have HIV worldwide (WHO). More than a million are in the US (CDC).

• Professional basketball player Magic Johnson tells the world he has HIV.
• Kimberly Bergalis, who apparently got HIV from her dentist asks the US congress to force health care workers to be tested for HIV.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1991 — 20,454.
• Rock Singer Freddie Mercury

1992

• ddC (zalcitabine, Hivid^®) — Roche — a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is approved for use in the U.S..
• First clinical trial of multiple drugs is held.
• FDA (US) starts “accelerated approval” — interim licensing — to get promising drugs to PWAs faster.

• PWAs Bob Hattoy and Elizabeth Glaser give speeches to the US Democratic National Convention.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1992 — 23,411.
• Robert Reed, actor

1993

• CDC (US) revises its definition of AIDS, including new opportunistic infections.
• The so-called “female condom” is approved. In the US, the FDA refused to allow testing for anal sex, saying sodomy is illegal in too many states.
• Four French blood bank officials sent to prison for allowing HIV-tainted blood into French blood banks.
• Researchers in Europe show taking AZT (monotherapy) early in the disease has no benefits (Concorde study).

• Number of known deaths in US during 1993 — 41,920.
• Arthur Ashe, tennis legend.
• Rudolf Nureyev, ballet dancer.

1994

• d4T (Zerit^®) — Bristol-Myers Squibb — a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is approved for use in the U.S..

• A Benneton advertisement depicts US Pres. Ronald Reagan with K.S. lesions.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1994 — 32,330.
• John Curry, Olympic figure skater.
• Randy Shilts, Chronicled rise of AIDS.
• Elizabeth Glaser, CrU.S.der for Pediatric AIDS.
• Dack Rambo, actor

1995

• Saquinavir (Invirase^®) — Roche — is approved for use in the US. This is the first anti-HIV drug in the protease inhibitor class.
• 3TC (lamivudine; Epivir^®) — ViiV Healthcare — a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is approved for use in the US.
• Germany convicts four of selling HIV-tainted blood.
• US admits it was the Institut Pasteur (France), not Robert Gallo (NIH, US) who discovered the virus that causes AIDS.

• Olympic diver Greg Louganis reveals that he has AIDS.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1995 — 48,371.
• Eric “Easy-E” Wright, “gangsta” rap star.
• Paul Monette, Writer of Gay anguish.

1996

• The HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) era begins. A combination of at least three ARV (antiretroviral) drugs are recommended.
• Nevirapine (Viramune^®) — Boehringer Ingelheim , approved for use in the US. This is the first anti-HIV drug in the class called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
• Ritonavir (Norvir^®) — Abbott — a protease inhibitor, is approved for use in the U.S..
• Indinavir (Crixivan^®) — Merck — a protease inhibitor, is approved for use in the U.S..
• Japan busts Green Cross Pharmaceutical Corp. for dealing in HIV-tainted blood.
• Researchers at Columbia University identify herpesvirus-like DNA sequences in AIDS-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma
• >Brazil becomes the first country to offer anti-AIDS drug “cocktails” to those who need them.
• TIME magazine’s 1996 Man of the Year is AIDS researcher Dr. David Ho.

• Basketball star Magic Johnson returns to play basketball.
• Heavyweight boxer Tommy Morrison announces he is HIV positive.
• California voters passed Proposition 215 (55.7% to 44.3%) to allow medical use of marijuana. Arizona passed Proposition 200 by a much larger margin, 65.3% to 34.7%.
• Number of known deaths in US during 1996 — 34,947, including:
• Peter Adair, filmmaker.
• Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, internationally renowned Afro-beat musician.

1997

• Zidovudine/Lamivudine (Combivir^®) — ViiV Healthcare–, is the first combination pill approved in the U.S.
• Delavirdine (Rescriptor^®) — ViiV Healthcare — is approved for use in the U.S.
• Nelfinavir (Viracept^®) — ViiV Healthcare — is approved for use in the U.S.
• CDC reports first case of probable HIV transmission through kissing.
• The UN reports it had been underestimating AIDS transmission rates.
• The CDC reports annual AIDS deaths dropped in the U.S. for the first time since the early 1980’s. CDC also reports that HIV incidence declined for the first time.
• Researchers report from the 37th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) they are beginning to understand the effect anti-HIV therapy has on CD4 T-cell counts.
• The American Medical Association and the U.S. Conference of Mayors call on U.S. Congress to revoke the 1988 law prohibiting needle exchange programs.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Nelfinavir (Viracept^®) and Ritonavir (Norvir^®) for use in children.

• Number of known deaths in US during 1997 — 21,399
• Approximate total worldwide death count — 6,400,000.
• Approximate number of HIV-positive people worldwide — 22,000,000. To put this number in perspective, it is larger than the total population of the continent of Australia.

1998

• Abacavir (Ziagen^®) — ViiV Healthcare — and Efavirenz (Sustiva, Stocrin) ^® — Bristol-Myers Squibb — are approved for use in the U.S.
• 12th International AIDS Conference opens on June 28 in Geneva, Switzerland with the theme “Bridging the Gap”. The conference reports that nearly 90% of people living with HIV disease are in developing countries where there have been little advancements in HIV/AIDS treatment and care.
• Efavirenz (Sustiva^®, Stocrin^®) — Bristol-Myers Squibb — , the third non-nucleoside, reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), is approved by the FDA for use in the U.S..
• First formal trial begins to determine if people living with HIV/AIDS can stop taking anti-AIDS drugs safely.
• Researchers in France conclude that long-term breastfeeding by HIV-positive mothers increases the risk of HIV transmission to their babies substantially.

• Number of known deaths in US during 1998 — 17,403.
• Approximate number of HIV-positive people worldwide — 33.4 million.

1999

• Long-term side effects on metabolism from anti-AIDS therapy become increasingly worrisome.
• A team of researchers determine HIV came from chimpanzees.

• Number of known deaths in US during 1999 — 18,491.
• For the first time there are more women living with HIV disease in Africa than men.
• South African Judge Edwin Cameron announces he is HIV positive.

2000

• Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Abacavir (Trizivir ^®) — ViiV Healthcare — and Lopinavir (Kaletra, Aluvia^®) — Abbott — are approved for use in the U.S.
• At a special UN Security Council meeting, HIV/AIDS is deemed a security threat for the first time.
• South African President Thabo Mbeki asserts HIV does not cause AIDS.
• Scientists from around the world sign the Durban Declaration, a document affirming HIV is the cause of AIDS.
• 13th International AIDS Conference is held in South Africa. During the conference,> demands are made for anti-AIDS drugs for pregnant women to reduce mother-to-child transmission.
• Sandy Thurman is named the first US envoy on AIDS by President Clinton.

• Number of known deaths in US during 2000 — 17,741.

2001

• Tenofovir (Viread^®) — Gilead Sciences — is approved for use in the U.S.
• HIV/AIDS is now the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Brazil assists with World Trade Organization deal on medical patents giving poor countries access to discounts on drugs for AIDS.

• Number of known deaths in US during 2001 — 18,524.
• Young South African activist Nkosi Johnson dies of AIDS.

2002

• Rapid HIV test kit is approved by the FDA.
• The CIA’s National Intelligence Council issues report stating HIV/AIDS is major threat to five countries.
• Barbados receives first World Bank loan to combat AIDS.
• 14th International AIDS Conference is held in Barcelona, Spain.

• Number of known deaths in US during 2002 — 17,557.
• Cumulative deaths in US through 2003 — 524,060.

2003

• Emtricitabine (Emtriva^®) — Gilead Sciences — , Atazanavir (Reyataz^®) — Bristol-Myers Squibb — , and Fosamprenavir (Lexiva, Telzir^®) — ViiV Healthcare — are approved for use in the U.S.
• President George W. Bush announces his Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a five-year, $15 billion initiative to fight HIV/AIDS, primarily in Africa and the Caribbean.
• WHO and UNAIDS unveil 3 by 5 Initiative, a program to provide anti-retroviral drugs to three million people in developing countries and those in transition by 2005.

• AIDSVAX, an experimental AIDS vaccine, fails to block HIV infection among the more than 2,000 intravenous drug users who volunteered for the first large-scale clinical trial of an AIDS vaccine.

2004

• Abacavir/lamivudine (Epzicom^®) — ViiV Healthcare — and Tenofovir/emtricitabine (Truvada^®) — Gilead Sciences — are approved for use in the U.S.
• The Three Ones, a landmark agreement to coordinate global efforts to fight HIV/AIDS and increase support was reached by the international community in partnership with UNAIDS.
• The first installment in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been distributed.

• The U.S. porn industry is hit by fears of an HIV outbreak among its stars. By May, five actors have been found to be HIV-positive.
• Keith Cylar, the co-founder, co-president and COO of Housing Works, passed away.

2005

• FDA grants first tentative approval of HIV drug regimen for use under PEPFAR.

• Nelson Mandela announces the death of his son from AIDS-related complications.
• Kenneth Cole, in conjunction with KNOW HIV/AIDS, a joint public education initiative of Viacom Inc. and the Kaiser Family Foundation, and amFAR today unveiled the “We All Have AIDS” campaign to reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS.

2006

• FDA approves Atripla as the first once-a-day treatment option.
• CDC releases revised HIV testing recommendations for health-care settings, recommending routine HIV screening for all adults 13-64 years old.

• First annual national Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in US.

2007

• Another major HIV vaccine trial is halted after preliminary results show no benefit.

• Around 33 million people are living with HIV, according to revised estimates in the 2007 AIDS Epidemic Update.

2008

• 17th International AIDS Conference takes place in Mexico City. It is the first time the conference is held in a Latin American country.
• Swiss researchers issue a report suggesting people on anti-HIV therapy drugs will not pass the virus to others.
• POZ magazine calls for a national AIDS strategy.
• Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier share the Nobel Medicine Prize for their discovery of the HIV virus.
• 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

• CDC releases new HIV incidence estimate – 56,000 new infections in the U.S. each year.

2009

• President Barack Obama lifts the HIV travel ban
• The first National AIDS Strategy is unveiled in the U.S.

• Dennis deLeon, lawyer, former New York City human rights commissioner, co-founder of the Latino Commission on AIDS dies.

2010

• The World Health Organization estimates 5.2 million people are now receiving HIV treatment.
• The Council of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise develops the Scientific Strategic Plan for an AIDS vaccine.