Part 4/10:
The emergence of HIV/AIDS in the early 1980s presented unprecedented medical and societal challenges. Initially labeled “gay-related immune deficiency” (GRID), the early response to the epidemic was slow, reflecting the stigmatization of the communities primarily affected. With the CDC and healthcare providers forced to catch up, the narrative surrounding AIDS became heavily rooted in fear and misunderstanding.
Many still grapple with the distinction between HIV and AIDS, often conflating the two. Experts clarify that HIV is a virus that, if left untreated, can lead to AIDS; this distinction is essential for accurate public discourse.