For over 30 years HIV/AIDS has wreaked havoc on the population of the world. Certain areas have been especially hard hit due to a lack of information regarding how the disease is spread and an inability to get the medications necessary to prolong a person's life once they have been infected. In the beginning, there was little known about the effects of HIV and almost no funding for the study the disease or to develop effective treatment options. In fact, the first drug that showed any signs of slowing the progression of HIV/AIDS was not licensed by the FDA until 1987.
In 1986 researchers knew that the drug known as AZT was a dramatic step forward in the battle against HIV/AIDS but they also knew that there was much work to be done. The initial optimism quickly faded as scientists and researchers began to understand that AZT was not an effective standalone treatment. The initial benefits from the treatment of this drug waned quickly as HIV became resistant to the medication. It was at this point the scientists realized that the battle against HIV and AIDS was unlike any other that they had faced up to this point.
In 1994 renewed optimism came from the development of double combination therapy and, finally, triple drug combinations were shown capable to completely block HIV replication in 1996.
Unfortunately, we are still years away from a cure for HIV. Thankfully, mortality rates have dropped significantly as researchers have begun to develop more effective drug cocktails which can combat the progression of HIV allowing those infected to live normal healthy lives for much longer than was thought possible only a couple of decades ago. In order to eliminate HIV/AIDS it will be necessary for governments and their citizens to reestablish their commitment to eradicating this disease by committing increased funds for the research and development of new, more powerful drugs.
Some of the top researchers in the field believe that within 2 decades we could be at the cusp of eliminating HIV from the planet once and for all. These individuals have reason to be positive because they have seen a great deal of progress being made as they have come to a better understanding of HIV/AIDS. The sad fact is that even if a cure is only a few years off, untold numbers of infected individuals will pass away before that time comes. HIV/AIDS is an indiscriminate killer that affects individuals of every race, nationality, and sexual orientation. Our dedication to defeating this disease must be as relentless as the infection itself if we are to prevent even more individuals from being victims.
June 2011 is the 30th anniversary of the first publication describing AIDS. It is time to celebrate the important progress achieved in 3 decades, and to continue fighting this disease.
In 1986 researchers knew that the drug known as AZT was a dramatic step forward in the battle against HIV/AIDS but they also knew that there was much work to be done. The initial optimism quickly faded as scientists and researchers began to understand that AZT was not an effective standalone treatment. The initial benefits from the treatment of this drug waned quickly as HIV became resistant to the medication. It was at this point the scientists realized that the battle against HIV and AIDS was unlike any other that they had faced up to this point.
In 1994 renewed optimism came from the development of double combination therapy and, finally, triple drug combinations were shown capable to completely block HIV replication in 1996.
Unfortunately, we are still years away from a cure for HIV. Thankfully, mortality rates have dropped significantly as researchers have begun to develop more effective drug cocktails which can combat the progression of HIV allowing those infected to live normal healthy lives for much longer than was thought possible only a couple of decades ago. In order to eliminate HIV/AIDS it will be necessary for governments and their citizens to reestablish their commitment to eradicating this disease by committing increased funds for the research and development of new, more powerful drugs.
Some of the top researchers in the field believe that within 2 decades we could be at the cusp of eliminating HIV from the planet once and for all. These individuals have reason to be positive because they have seen a great deal of progress being made as they have come to a better understanding of HIV/AIDS. The sad fact is that even if a cure is only a few years off, untold numbers of infected individuals will pass away before that time comes. HIV/AIDS is an indiscriminate killer that affects individuals of every race, nationality, and sexual orientation. Our dedication to defeating this disease must be as relentless as the infection itself if we are to prevent even more individuals from being victims.
June 2011 is the 30th anniversary of the first publication describing AIDS. It is time to celebrate the important progress achieved in 3 decades, and to continue fighting this disease.