No one knows where HIV/AIDs first originated for sure, but scientists believe HIV has it's origins with a similar disease that affects primates called SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus). What they believe happened is SIV-afflicted chimps, living in southwestern Cameroon near the forests of the Congo, first infected humans with HIV in 1908. In the 1920s, HIV spread through Leopoldville (now known as Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) by way of anti-venereal disease needles, which were being reused repeatedly instead of being disposed of. (In fact, it is believed that the needles were only cleansed with alcohol before being used again). As a result of this, people were infected with HIV.
Around this time, HIV, as with most diseases, mutated into subtypes, 9, to be exact. Subtype C went to India, whereas the following is believed to be the fate of Subtype B.
In the 1960s when the Belgians left the Congo, French-speaking Haitians acquired jobs in the Congo as lawyers, doctors, etc, where they were infected with Subtype B of HIV. When Zaire was created, the immigrants felt unwelcome so they went back to Haiti, bringing the disease with them. HIV spread throughout Haiti, aided unknowingly by a plasmapheresis centre which mixed the blood plasma of different donors, spreading the virus.
Around 1969, HIV entered the United States. In the 1980s, the HIV epidemic in the US began, leading to not only a staggering death toll, but the vilification of minorities, such as homosexuals, who were (and in some cases, still are) often branded as spreaders of HIV.
So, what if for some reason, HIV never made the jump from simians to humans? What if HIV never existed?
(I wasn't sure where to put this thread. I know stopping a disease is somewhat ASB, but I didn't feel like it belonged in the ASB thread)
Around this time, HIV, as with most diseases, mutated into subtypes, 9, to be exact. Subtype C went to India, whereas the following is believed to be the fate of Subtype B.
In the 1960s when the Belgians left the Congo, French-speaking Haitians acquired jobs in the Congo as lawyers, doctors, etc, where they were infected with Subtype B of HIV. When Zaire was created, the immigrants felt unwelcome so they went back to Haiti, bringing the disease with them. HIV spread throughout Haiti, aided unknowingly by a plasmapheresis centre which mixed the blood plasma of different donors, spreading the virus.
Around 1969, HIV entered the United States. In the 1980s, the HIV epidemic in the US began, leading to not only a staggering death toll, but the vilification of minorities, such as homosexuals, who were (and in some cases, still are) often branded as spreaders of HIV.
So, what if for some reason, HIV never made the jump from simians to humans? What if HIV never existed?
(I wasn't sure where to put this thread. I know stopping a disease is somewhat ASB, but I didn't feel like it belonged in the ASB thread)