jess

I was born in 1981, the year multiple agencies reported unusual clusters of symptoms in various groups of people. The AIDS epidemic officially begins June 5, 1981. Research over the next five years leads to the identification and naming of the HIV virus in 1986. AZT is put to use as the first antiretroviral drug treatment in 1987. Combination treatments of these drugs emerge over the following years.

In 1996, highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) is introduced, using protease inhibitors and becomes the standard of care.

The combo drug Truvada is approved as a treatment in 2004 and then by 2012 is approved as prophylactic/preventative treatment (PrEP).

THIS IS OUR TIMELINE!! By the time I turned 31, we had effective drugs that allowed HIV positive people to have such undetectable viral loads there was very little chance of passing it on to a sexual partner. 30 fucking years. Look what people can do.

The epidemic was devastating in so many ways. Millions died all over the world. The situation on the African continent was unbelievable. Lack of treatment, huge stigma, etc. And yet science peristed.

i am so fucking proud of my country right now, THANK YOU for growing a backbone RTVE!!

here's what they aired, despite the EBU's backlash after Spanish TV commentators criticised Israel during the semi-finals: