The History of HIV: A Firsthand Account

Dr. Donna Sweet and Bruce discuss the history of the HIV epidemic through the lens of Dr. Sweet’s personal experience as a practitioner. They talk about the early experiences of treating and managing HIV and AIDS before tests, empirical treatments, and sufficient knowledge about the virus. They discuss how antiretroviral therapy and new clinical case definitions in the 1990s and 2000s allowed for better treatment and management of HIV. Throughout the conversation, they mention how the stigma surrounding HIV and homosexuality remains prevalent and unnecessary and the danger of continuing misinformation. They conclude with an outlook on the future of HIV medicine, vaccinations and cure.  

About Dr. Donna Sweet:

Donna Sweet, MD, AAHIVS, MACP, is a professor of internal medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, Kansas, and has been credentialed with the Academy since its inception. She has an HIV program in her clinic with federal Ryan White, Parts B, C, D and F funds, where she cares for approximately 1,400 patients with HIV.
 

Resources: 

Timeline of the HIV epidemic - https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/history/hiv-and-aids-timeline  

UCSF AIDS History Project Collections - https://www.library.ucsf.edu/archives/aids/collections/ 

Future directions - https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/future-hiv-treatment  

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