The AIDS Pandemic

Introduction - Historical Notes

The AIDS Pandemic

Just as syphilis had made a sudden, dramatic appearance 500 years earlier, so AIDS appeared in the late 20th century and quickly spread. And just as syphilis had been incurable then, AIDS is still incurable now. However, while syphilis also reached all continents due to increasing trade and travel, it took many years to arrive in Africa, Asia, North America and the regions of the Pacific. After all, ships and caravans were still relatively slow compared to our modern modes of transportation. In contrast, motor cars, trains, and especially jet planes have now helped to spread AIDS very quickly to the farthest reaches of the globe. Today, we are indeed dealing with a global threat not only to our physical, but also to our economic, social and political health. In the meantime, some countries have developed successful strategies to combat the disease, but it is proving difficult to implement these strategies in every other country that needs them. AIDS prevention and treatment often face cultural, economic, and political obstacles, and only the future will show whether these will be overcome in time.

Estimated number of adults and children newly infected with HIV during 2003
Total: 4.2 million - 5.8 million

 

Source: UNAIDS, WHO, Dec. 2003

 

[Course 4] [Description] [How to use it] [Introduction] [Terms] [General Description] [Historical Notes] [Curable STDs] [Incurable STDs] [STD Prevention] [Additional Reading] [Examination]