Petrelis Files

January 2006 Marks 25 Years of AIDS

Let the record show that a horrible plague began its deadly assault on gay men and the world 25-years ago this month.

What became known as AIDS was first reported by the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report of June 8, 1981, and one of the patients mentioned became ill in January of that year:

> Patient 3: A 30-year-old man was well until January 1981 when he developed esophageal and oral candidiasis that responded to Amphotericin B treatment. He was hospitalized in February 1981 for P. carinii pneumonia that responded to TMP/SMX. His esophageal candidiasis recurred after the pneumonia was diagnosed, and he was again given Amphotericin B. The CMV complement-fixation titer in March 1981 was 8. Material from an esophageal biopsy was positive for CMV.

Whereas 2006 marks the 25th year of the AIDS epidemic, it's important we remember and honor the dead, fight like hell for those living with AIDS and risk of contracting it, continue to raise our voices because "Silence = Death," and it's always time to ACT UP! Fight Back! Fight AIDS!

Let the record show in year 25 of AIDS, the cure still ain't here.