The Origin of AIDS

The Origin of AIDS

Evidence suggests that AIDS likely originated in Africa from a virus called simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) found in monkeys. People probably became infected with SIV from a particular type of chimpanzee when they hunted the chimpanzees for food. Once the virus was in humans, it may have mutated (changed) into the virus known as HIV.

Because it can be difficult to see small breaks in the skin such as hangnails, doctors advise caution when coming into contact with any cut or wound on someone infected with HIV. Medical personnel are at risk of contracting HIV infection through accidental injuries with medical instruments (especially needles and scalpels) that have been contaminated with the blood of an HIV-infected patient.

Sharing living space or items such as eating utensils or clothes does not transmit the virus. Neither does casual contact—doing things like hugging or shaking hands—so there is no need to avoid this type of contact with someone who has HIV. Blood donations and blood products in the United States have been screened for HIV since 1985, and today the blood supply is considered safe. The risk of becoming infected through blood transfusions ^* is extremely low.

In 1984, at the onset of the AIDS epidemic, Ryan White became infected with the HIV virus through a blood transfusion. His spirited fight to educate the public about the disease and to end prejudice against people with AIDS ended with his death in 1990 at the age of eighteen.