As early as 1920 there were sporadic cases of, what we now know to be AIDS, in Africa. It was thought that HIV crossed from chimpanzees to humans.
1981
The first official medical reports of previously healthy homosexual men indicating issues with the immune system are recorded in the United States. The infections, unusual for the time, including Pneumocystis Carinii and the rare aggressive cancer, Kaposi Sarcoma alerted authorities to the seriousness of the issue. This weakened immune system was to become the AIDS Epidemic.
1982
The term AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is first used.
A group of cases among homosexual men in Southern California suggested that the disease was spread through sexual contact, however there were also reported cases in haemophiliacs.
1984
National Cancer Institute in US announces the cause of the condition (retro virus) and creates blood test that can effectively diagnose the retro virus.
1986
85 countries report 38,401 cases of AIDS.
1987
The first drug treatment for HIV (AZT) is approved.
1995
There are an estimated 4.7 million new infections. A new type of drug, a protease inhibitor, is introduced and proved to be a great step forward in combating the illness.
1996
An estimated 23 million people world-wide are living with HIV.
1997
30 million people world-wide living with HIV. 16,000 new infections are occurring each day.
1999
Dr John Schwarz and his wife Rosalie, together with their two sons, John and Michael, travel to South Africa with an interest to learn more about the AIDS epidemic and to make a documentary on this. It was learnt that 40% of the antenatal women in the hospital where Dr Schwarz served as Superintendent (1975-1984) were positive for HIV infection. This was a death sentence. All these women died within a few years and 25% of their children contracted HIV at birth. Many of these children died and others were left as orphans. At this rate, almost half of the young adult population would die.
2000
Dr Schwarz and Mrs Schwarz formed the African AIDS Foundation.
33 million people world-wide were reported to be living with HIV and so far there had been over 14 million deaths.
2002
In this year there were 3.5 million new infections in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. Average life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa falls from 62 years to 47 years. In certain countries life expectancy was as low as 33 years of age.
2003
US President Bush announces the PEPFAR Fund – Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Funds provided for antiretroviral drugs (ARV’s) make an enormous difference in the battle to contain the HIV pandemic.
2006
25 years has passed since the first reported case of AIDS.
Research indicates a 53% reduction of risk of HIV infection after male circumcision and in response, the South African Health Department encourages circumcision of adolescent boys. Further, a daily dose of HIV drugs reduces homosexual (male to male) infections by 44%.
2009
5.25 million people world-wide are now taking ARV’s.
2010
An African study indicates an antiretroviral based vaginal microbial reduced new infection by 39%.
2012
Worldwide there are 35 million living with HIV. In this year there are 2.3 million new infections and 1.6 million deaths.
2013
UNAIDS announces new HIV Infections have dropped more than 50% in low and middle-income countries and the number of people taking ARV drugs has increased by 63% in past two years.