The origin of the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is believed to be in Central Africa, specifically from a virus found in chimpanzees called SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus). Scientists think HIV jumped from chimps to humans in the early 1900s, likely when people hunted or handled infected chimp meat. This process, called “zoonotic transmission”, happened in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The virus then spread slowly among humans, eventually becoming the global epidemic we know today. HIV adapted to humans and spread through contact, like blood or bodily fluids.
There has been anti-retroviral drugs to minize the viral load but of recent, In 2024, lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable medication for HIV prevention, emerged as a significant advancement. Lenacapavir, administered via injection every six months, offers a highly effective alternative to daily oral PrEP medications, particularly for those who face challenges with adherence or access to healthcare.
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