In 1981, the CDC reported on cases involving young gay men and a rare lung infection, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. By June 5, 1981, two of the five men infected with the disease had died. This is the first time that the AIDS epidemic has been revealed. (Multiple) At that time, AIDS was a new disease, there is nothing new about a new epidemic, which can actually decimate a population. By the time the report was published a few days later, doctors around the world had reported similar cases. Shortly thereafter, the CDC received reports of cases of a rare form of cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, among a group of gay men in New York and California. On July 3, Kaposi's sarcoma affected 41 homosexual men. During the year, a total of 270 cases were reported, and 121 of them died. (Multiple) In January 1982, they opened their first aid clinic. In treating any illness, it is necessary to understand the emotional, economic, psychological and sometimes even political impact of the illness. This is true for a disease as devastating as AIDS. AIDS is not the end of the world, but simply the greatest challenge the medical community has ever faced. There are new things to be invented, cures for many diseases, including a vaccination and a cure for AIDS. The result of this disease is the destruction of the patient's immune system. Since the infected person has no ability to fight an infection because the virus destroys the cells that normally fight infection, they then become susceptible to all other diseases. I understand first-hand what one goes through fighting this disease. My uncle Dale died at the age of thirty-eight. He was the youngest and my mother was the oldest, so seeing him go before...... middle of paper ......, even though we know that with the availability of antiretrovirals, people can lead a healthy life even when they are HIV positive. No disease has been treated with the same hysteria as HIV, and this is due to the stigma and promiscuity associated with it. CONCLUSIONS In 1985, AIDS was considered an immediate and horrific death sentence for the infected person. There was an apocalyptic terror that this epidemic could wipe out humanity. Today, although there is still no cure for AIDS, education and other aggressive actions are slowing the spread of the disease. On an individual basis, the length and quality of life of people living with the AIDS virus increases significantly. Medicine will eventually defeat AIDS, and with the certainty of having succeeded, doctors will be better prepared and equipped to deal with the next scourge when and if it comes...