The human race is always struggling

against natures forces and attempting to conquer over its ability to harm us but so far such a victory has been impossible. One of the most deadly diseases to attack the human race in the twentieth century is Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The first case was found in England in 1959. A young British sailor developed an illness that was never seen before. He had developed skin lesions and gingivitis, but soon he also developed high fever, fatigue, shortness of breath and weight loss. Sir Robert Platt recorded his concerns in the patients chart. He feared that the human race was now witnessing the arrival of a new type of viral threat.

 An autopsy was performed and tissue

samples were taken in hope that they would later be able to understand the enigmatic sickness. The second case occurred in St. Louis, Missouri 1968. A fifteen year-old boy was admitted in the hospital with widespread swelling where he died a few months later. The autopsy revealed a form of rare cancer. The doctor froze some tissue and fluid samples.

 In 1989 research began and the doctors

came to the conclusion that both men had suffered from AIDS. The report suggested that AIDS dated back to the beginning of the twentieth century. The scientist traced the reports and they dated back to the 1902 when 7 cases were recorded in Italy. This was followed by twenty-two other cases throughout Europe and the Americans. They were all adult males.

 After reviewing this event it seems likely that

this virus has been among humanity for a very long time. A very obvious question arise: why did HIV explode at this certain time? The precise reason is yet unknown but researchers believe that the ease of international air travel, the use of hypodermic needles, blood transfusion and the increased sexual freedom are some of the reasons. It is also believed that the virus may have evolved into a more violent form through natural adaptive processes common to such organism.

 More cases were reported during the 1980

where five young homosexual men had developed Pneumocystis pneumonia. One month later ten other cases were found, they were all homosexuals. The doctors were starting to believe that the syndrome was restricted to those of this sexual orientation. This was an erroneous assumption. Many heterosexual men and women believed that they were not at risk so they engaged in unsafe sex, there by they exposed themselves to the virus

 Society was very cruel and unsupportive

to those with AIDS. Pregnant women could transmit the virus to the baby, and in this manner entire families could be destroyed. In 1983, Dr. Luc Montagnir and his colleagues discovered the virus that produced AIDS. A second breakthrough occurred in 1985 where tests indirectly measured the presence of the virus in the bloodstream.

In addition drugs have been

produced to slow the viruss reproduction in a individuals body, delaying the onset of symptoms for months or years. Treatments enhancing the longevity and quality of the life of HIV-infected people have been created.

 To date, nearly 180,000 Americans have been

diagnosed as having symptoms of AIDS, while up to one million carry the virus without any obvious symptoms. The Center for Disease Control predicts that 40.000 new HIV infections will occur each coming year in adolescents and adults, along with 2.000 infections in newborns. Over 370,000 cases have been reported worldwide. It is predicted that in the 1990s the adults infected with HIV will reach the forty millions. In Western Europe the number of AIDS cases is climbing.

 The only thing we can do is hope that the

spread of the virus will ebb at some point due either to natural processes or to our own scientific achievement. It is up to us, as responsible individuals to protect ourselves and others from contracting the virus. And if anyone has reason to believe that they might be carrying the virus, they should consider undergoing a blood test to determine whether you are infected or not.