9781422276167

1980: It is believed that HIV originated in Africa and gradually spread to other parts of the world. The disease broke out in Uganda in the early 1980s and became an epidemic, infecting and killing millions of people. High population, poor sanitation , illiteracy, and a lack of medical facilities helped HIV to become an epidemic in Africa. The continent continues to be very heavily affected with HIV and AIDS compared to the rest of the world.

1980

1981

1981: Several cases of pneumonia caused by a new type of bacteria and a rare type of skin cancer known as Kaposi’s sarcoma came to light in the United States. The illness was observed in people with a weak immune system. It was most common in homosexual men and by the end of the year, 270 cases of severe immune system deficiency were reported, out of which 121 patients died. The medical condition was termed as gay-related immune deficiency (GRID).

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

homosexual: a person attracted to the person of the same sex. retrovirus: a type of virus that reproduces by inserting its genetic material into a host cell. sanitation: conditions related to people’s health and hygiene, which involves the provision of clean water supply as well as waste management.

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