How and why did HIV/AIDS spread so quickly?

[Olly]

How did HIV/AIDS spread so quickly?

[A Karenina]

I can't remember the name of it, but there was a movie several years ago that portrayed a doctor from the CDC (Center for Disease Control). He was trying to determine if AIDS was a new disease, how it spreads, and how to contain it.

Does anyone know the name of this movie? It's driving me batty!

There are some very good articles in National Geographic, the CDC website, and the BBC has put out some informative documentaries as well. I guess I'd start there for more information.

[lady cop]

is the movie you are thinking of the "Boys in the Band"? it was quite accurate. not certain about etiology, there are theories about animal to human in Africa. then of course the beginnings in San Francisco gay community with the appearance of karposi's syndrome. i know that today we consider most arrestees to carry it if they are drug abusers. at least we make that assumption for our own protection. it is an equal-opportunity disease and not confined to only one segment of the population or demographic. combine IV drug use with crack and prostitution and it's still rampant. the modern plague, despite drug cocktails that slow down its progress in individuals.

[Paula]

i think when the gay generation became popular between men, it got out of control...the 80's, every Tom, Dick & Harry had it? i believe the majority of it was created by the gay men, then the prostitutes, it is a sexually transmitted disease? thats what i thought?? bad blood...

[Julie Grace]

I believe I heard a decade ago that AIDS is a retrovirus that is routinely found in some animals. The theory was that some people had intercourse with animals and then it spread from there. Preverse Sexual Behavior was the cause.

[capt_buzzard]

Originally Posted by A Karenina

I can't remember the name of it, but there was a movie several years ago that portrayed a doctor from the CDC (Center for Disease Control). He was trying to determine if AIDS was a new disease, how it spreads, and how to contain it.

Does anyone know the name of this movie? It's driving me batty!

There are some very good articles in National Geographic, the CDC website, and the BBC has put out some informative documentaries as well. I guess I'd start there for more information.

I think the title to that movie was " Out of Control", but I maybe wrong

[Paula]

i believe if it was an animal it was a monkey? what other animal could it be? the most closely related animal to humans is the MONKEY, right? if believe the virus is related (similar) to E-COLI? it is tranmitted in that area? yes, it is!

[capt_buzzard]

Some people in Europe believe it "Aids" was started in laboratory in the US. Then when the media got wind of it. The great coverup was started.

[Olly]

Originally Posted by Paula

i believe if it was an animal it was a monkey? what other animal could it be? the most closely related animal to humans is the MONKEY, right? if believe the virus is related (similar) to E-COLI? it is tranmitted in that area? yes, it is!

E-Coli is a bacterium, and not a virus. HIV is a retrovirus that is just an RNA code protected by a protein layer, it not related to E-Coli, it is not even in the same kingdom, viruses are just peices of DNA wrapped in a protein shell, they have on e basic function, and that is to enter a cell and order it to make copies of themselves. Most viruses can be identified and attacked by the immune system, however, as HIV is a retrovirus (that means that it writes part of our DNA into itself as a substitute for its own) our immune system cannot attack it.

E-Coli is a bacterium that ususally lives harmlessly in our alimentary cannal (intestines) and only certain forms cause illness, it is not a sexually transmitted disease, and is not blood-born. HIV crossed the species barrier through Bushmen in Sub-Saharan Africa eating infected meat. It was not, as far as scientists can determine, through 'perverse sexual behavior', there are worries that other retroviruses could do the same as HIV has.

[aravella]

The movie is "And The Band Played On"