Scientists and doctors discovered a new disease in 1981. This immediately caused great concern. Everyone wanted to know what was causing it. Two years later, in 1983, two research teams simultaneously discovered the culprit: HIV. From that moment on, a race against time began to protect people from this virus.

 

A major breakthrough did not come until 1996. By combining different antiretroviral drugs, people with HIV were able to live longer and healthier lives. Taking these antiretrovirals means people living with HIV can no longer pass on the virus. This also means they can now live to the same age as people who don’t have HIV.
 
It may seem as if the problem has been solved: people take HIV medication and can grow old and still be in good health. However, it is not that simple. HIV is not only about health, but also about society, culture and the costs of treatment.

 

That is why scientists, doctors and researchers are still working hard to find a real cure. Small successes have already been achieved, but there remains a lot to be discovered.