HIV/AIDS Drug First Introduced as Cancer Cure

AIDS Awareness (Photo credit: sassy mom)

The drug, AZT was originally created by scientist Jerome P. Horwitz in the 1960’s, and was first thought to be a cure all for those with cancer. Sadly, today there is still not a cure for cancer, however, AZT is the drug highly recommended and approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1987, as treatment of HIV and AIDS.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the Advanced Immunodeficiency Syndrome are names given to illnesses derived from a virus that tears down the body’s natural immune defense system, rendering those who suffer helpless to fight outside diseases. Hence, a virus such as the common cold can be fatal to someone who is exposed to the foreign germs.

AZT was the first drug sold to decrease the duplication of the virus in the body, and combined with other drugs has been effective in slowing the process of these deadly diseases. However, these combinations of drugs are not a cure, but life has been sustained because of its existence.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show that the United States has new cases reported more so in the south.

New AIDS diagnoses:

At the end of 2010, the South accounted for 45% of the estimated 33,015 new AIDS diagnoses in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, followed by the Northeast (24%), the West (19%), and the Midwest (13%).

AIDS in the United States, by Race/Ethnicity

Most people receiving an AIDS diagnosis in 2010 or living with an AIDS diagnosis at the end of 2009 were black, white, or Latino, reflecting the majority population groups of the United States.

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Watch: Living with HIV: Andre’s Journey