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First Publication of AIDS Cases
In CDC's Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report, the first five or so cases later determined to be the effect of the HIV/AIDS strain were published. -
Disease Naming
Health care professionals first began using the term "acquired immunodeficiency syndrome" (AIDS) to describe the symptoms seen in the affected patients. -
First Identifcation of AIDS Virus
Scientists identify the strain of virus causing AIDS, initially naming it after the T-cells it affected. The name was later changed to HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus. -
FDA Approval of First HIV Test
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first licensed HIV test. -
First Drug for AIDS Treatment Approved
The FDA approves AZT, the first antiretroviral drug for treating AIDS. -
First AIDS Awareness Ad Campaign
The first national AIDS education ad campaign is launched as a result of a partnership between the Ad Campaign and the National AIDS Network. -
Ryan White Care Act
Ryan White Care Act passed in honor of Ryan White, a hemophiliac teenager who died due to being infected with the HIV through a blood transfusion. -
Red Ribbon Foundation
Red Ribbon Foundation started. RRF distributes ribbons as a symbol of tolerance for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Magic Johnson announces he has HIV and retires from the LA Lakers. -
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) is established by the United Nations.
Combination retroviral treatment shown to be effective againt HIV. -
Drug Therapies
Thanks to the success of drug therapies, AIDS death rate has declined in the US. -
First Human Trial
The company AIDSvax starts first human trial of AIDS vaccine. This trial includes 5,000 US volunteers.
Trial of post exposure prevention started. Said to be similar to plan B. -
AIDS Becoming Big Global and National Threat
Clinton admintistration declares that AIDS is a threat to national security and global stability.
African-American and Hispanic infection rates have overtaken those of gay white men. -
First Rapid HIV Test
FDA approves first rapid HIV test, which pricks the finger to draw blood, and gives results in less than 20 minutes. -
Fuzeon Drug
New anti-HIV drug Fuzeon designed to prevent entry of HIV into human cells. -
PEPFAR
George W. Bush launches PEPFAR, which is the U.S. President's Emergency Plan to combat AIDS worldwide. "This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally." -
Generic AIDS Drug
Generic AIDS drug made by foreign country is approved, allowing PEPFAR to provide cheaper medications overseas. -
Bill Gates
Bill Gates steps down from the head of Microsoft to donate time to Gates Foundation. (largest private source of funding in the fight against HIV/AIDS.)
The first effective one-a-day pill to treat HIV, Atripla, is approved in the U.S. -
Obama and AIDS
President Obama removes the travel ban which prevented HIV positive people from entering the country. -
Microbide Gel
Microbide gel (CAPRISA 004) appears to reduce the risk of a woman becoming infected with HIV during sex by 40%.
Patients who took a once-daily antiretroviral pill PrEP were 44% less likely to be HIV positive after male-to-male sex. -
Antiretroviral Drugs
“The National Institutes of Health publishes the results of a study that says taking antiretroviral drugs at the onset of HIV leads to a dramatic reduction in HIV transmission to an uninfected heterosexual partner.” -
HIV Infections Dropping
19th International AIDS Conference in Washington.
“UNAIDS announces that new HIV infections have dropped more than 50% in 25 low- and middle-income countries, and the number of people getting antiretroviral treatment has increased 63% in the past two years.”
34 million people living with HIV around the world. -
Functionally cured toddler
Researchers announce they have “functionally cured” a toddler that was infected with HIV. They concluded that early treatment (within 30 hours of birth) was key. -
PEPFAR
George W. Bush launches PEPFAR, which is the U.S. President's Emergency Plan to combat AIDS worldwide. "This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally."
