Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
AIDS IN THE UNITED STATES
AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and other Manifestations of HIV Infection. Wormser GP et al, eds. Park Ridge, NJ, Noyes Publications, p. 18-35, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/88646996 Ward JW; Hardy AM; Drotman DP; AIDS Program, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA
Abstract:
The first cases of what was later termed the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were reported to the Centers for Disease Control in the spring of 1981. The patients (pts) were all young, previously healthy homosexual men with similar patterns of opportunistic illnesses due to an unexplained suppression of the immune system. The history of the development of the AIDS epidemic, opportunistic infections associated with AIDS, AIDS transmission groups, demographic characteristics of AIDS pts, disease presentations, modes of AIDS transmission, and manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are described. The number of persons with AIDS has increased dramatically since the first case reports in 1981. Projections of AIDS cases and deaths by year are, respectively, 24,000 and 14,000 for 1987 and 74,000 and 54,000 for 1991. The mean age of all AIDS pts is 36.6 yr and over 90% of all cases occur in persons 20-49 yr of age. Over 93% of adult and adolescent AIDS pts are men. Overall, 60% of AIDS cases occur in whites, 25% in blacks, and 14% in Hispanics. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and three US territories have reported at least one AIDS case. Two states, New York and California, accounted for 55% of all AIDS cases reported through 1986. AIDS is the most severe manifestation of HIV infection, and the full clinical spectrum of diseases resulting from this viral infection continues to be defined. This virus has been shown to be transmitted almost exclusively by sexual contact, exposure to contaminated blood, sharing of infected needles by iv drug abusers, or perinatally. The AIDS epidemic is a small part of a much larger epidemic of HIV infection. Other symptoms and signs may be seen in some infected persons and some may remain healthy for a number of years after infection. (52 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*MORTALITY/TRANSMISSION Adult AIDS-Related Complex/MORTALITY Cross-Sectional Studies *Disease Outbreaks Female Human Male Middle Age Opportunistic Infections/MORTALITY Risk Factors United States MONOGRAPH REVIEW, TUTORIAL REVIEW
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
