Fighting AIDS

Penicillin was the magic bullet against bacteria, but what will stop HIV?

AIDS. Fifty years ago, it didn't exist. Fifteen years ago, a few doctors and public health officials noticed the first cases. Within a few years, it was clear that it had reached epidemic status. It has now killed almost 14 million people around the world.

Four years ago, doctors came up with the first treatment to make a dent in the spiraling death rate. Today that treatment works for some patients, but it's not clear how long the results will last. And still there is no cure.

For the nearly 35 million people around the world now living with HIV, there...

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