The Epidemiology of the AIDS Pandemic

Historical, Cultural, Political, Societal Perspectives and Knowledge of HIV

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a bloodborne pathogen that targets the body’s immune system by attacking T cells. Having originated from Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, the first confirmed case was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the 1980s, the AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) pandemic began, and by the end of that decade, the World Health Organization reported the presence of HIV in 145 countries and nearly 400,000 cases worldwide. This rapid spread left the scientific community perplexed, and the general population scared. Our literature review explores which factors led to the rapid global spread of HIV. Through historical records and peer-reviewed articles, we sought to uncover and piece together practical applications to enhance understanding of the history and knowledge of potential dangers in the spread of future pandemics.