HIV/ AIDS
HIV/AIDS was first observed in the US in 1981 when many people, mostly drug users and gay men, developed a lower immune system and other rare diseases that accompanied impaired immune systems such as Karposi’s sarcoma (KS) [1]. Eventually, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were called to monitor the outbreak. Many of the original names the CDC for the disease were misleading due to a lack of information at the time. Examples included gay-related immune deficiency (GRID) and the homosexuals, heroin users, hemophiliacs, and Haitians disease (the 4H disease) [2]. However, once the CDC realized that the disease could infect anyone, they changed the name to AIDS in 1982. Two separate studies were done on AIDS patients, with both discovering the same virus, that would later be known as HIV [3].
For now, STDs like HIV are why the CDC recommends condoms to be used, even if there is no fear of pregnancy. In addition, after more studies were done, it is now apparent that the easiest way for HIV to spread is through anal sex, and the second easiest is through vaginal sex [4]. Thus, this gives a reason for why gay and bisexual men are more severely affected by HIV than any other group in the US. In addition, transgender individuals are at high risk too; they are four times as likely than the average population to get HIV [5].
To lessen the risk of HIV/AIDS, the CDC recommends that people engage in safe sex (especially with a male condom) and avoid risky behaviors such as substance abuse [6].
Citations
[1], [2] "History of HIV and AIDS Overview | AVERT." History of HIV and AIDS Overview | AVERT. AVERTing HIV and AIDS, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
[3] "A Timeline of HIV/AIDS." A Timeline of HIV/AIDS. AIDS.gov, 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
[4] "HIV Among Gay and Bisexual Men." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
[5] TRANSGENDER SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH: UNMET NEEDS AND BARRIERS TO CARE (n.d.): n. pag. National Center for Transgender Equality, Apr. 2012. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.
[6] "STD and HIV Fact Sheet." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
To find more resources within UC Davis visit:
UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center: HIV Testing
To find more resources online visit:
AVERTing HIV and AIDS “History of HIV/ AIDS”
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV among Gay and Bisexual Men