World AIDS Day

I was reflecting yesterday on the progression of knowledge and perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS since the 1980's. When the U.S. public was initially told about AIDS, not much information was known other than it was sexually transmitted and was cropping up predominately in male homosexuals. It was originally dubbed GAIDS by some researchers-not as a joke or insult, but because they thought that only gay men could get it. It was a death sentence and the Moral Right said it was "God's Justice". That is until cases with children started appearing. Then everyone cared, and they were also terrified. Anyone who had it was shunned or worse by society, hearkening back to biblical attitudes toward leprosy. Strangers were eyeing each other suspiciously, and parents were dodging each other in crowds clutching their children like the pigskin in a game of flag football. No one knew if you could get it by kissing, sharing a bathroom, or accepting an innocent handshake.

Eventually, the virus that caused AIDS was isolated, and this knowledge led to the ability to test for it in blood. This made all the difference because the blood supply could be protected and those who had it could be identified and educated about safe behavior, right? Well, those receiving blood transfusions are now protected, but you can't force those engaging in high-risk behaviors to desist their vices and get tested. The problem is that symptoms may not manifest for years, all the while it is being spread to others.

We now know of course that one can not contract HIV through casual contact, but I think Americans have maybe become too casual about AIDS in general. It is just not in the news unless the story is about Africa. The ARV triple-cocktail is a wonderful advancement and it allows HIV+ individuals to live long lives, but this should not remove a healthy degree of fear toward the aggressive virus. For one thing, viruses can evolve relatively quickly and what works today may not work tomorrow.

One thing the current President Bush did right was to fund HIV/AIDS research and treatment in the form of President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). I read much of this piece of legislation and was very impressed. It is very progressive and aggressive. This program is treating 1.7 million people worldwide with ARVs and promoting prevention through education to the general populations and also targeting high-risk groups. The PEPFAR workers use an A.B.C. approach: Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condom use. -Good advice to anyone of any age on any continent.