The one question which is always in the minds of all people around you in the community in which you live, in religious groups everywhere, is “What is the origin of HIV?”

The Origin of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

The origin of HIV as a virus and of AIDS as a medical condition needs separate consideration given the controversy that has arisen over whether HIV causes AIDS.

The evidence is overwhelming that HIV is, indeed, the cause of the AIDS epidemic, and it is important for people to understand the basis for such a conclusion. Despite extensive research, the origins of the HIV itself remain incompletely understood.

HIV belongs to an unusual group of viruses called Retroviruses that include leukemia viruses in humans, cats, cattle and some other animals.

Retroviruses, including HIV also belong to the lentiviruses being slow to cause disease.

More specifically, HIV is related to SIV (Simian (Monkey) Immunodeficiency Virus). As viruses easily mutate, HIV has probably mutated from viruses found in monkeys and apes. Even within one human being, during the progression of the infection, HIV mutates significantly and the person develops many slightly different strains of virus over the years.

The most probable route of transmission would appear to be from cuts or bites, people hunting wild monkeys and chimpanzees for food, or keeping them as pets. They could have been bitten and acquired the virus that way. While killing or butchering the animals for meat they could also have inadvertently acquired SIV through cuts on their hands. As the ape or monkey viruses mutated within human beings they could have evolved into HIV, leading to AIDS.

DOES HIV CAUSE AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)?

These are misleading arguments ignoring all the extensive evidence that HIV does indeed lead to AIDS. HIV has been observed directly under electron microscopes – it certainly exists. It also leads to the development of antibodies in the blood that can be measured, and it can be detected directly through sophisticated HIV antigen test.

That HIV leads to AIDS is shown by the fact that everyone who develops AIDS has HIV antibodies, unless their immune system becomes so weak that it can no longer produce them. This is more common in young children shortly before death. This summarizes the issue of HIV/AIDS.

Suggested reading : HIV/AIDS Care & Counselling ISBN 1-86891-078-4