How deadly is HIV compared to other epidemics?

In Darwinian terms, the recent emergence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is an outstanding success. HIV has readily exploited various niches provided by our lifestyle in the developed world, including air travel, narcotic dependence and steamy, promiscuous bath houses (Shilts, 1987). read more

Today the world is plagued with a similar deadly disease. The AIDS epidemic continues to be incurable. In an essay written by David Herlihy, entitled 'Bubonic Plague: Historical Epidemiology and the Medical Problems,' the historic bubonic plague is compared with the current AIDS epidemic of today. read more

For one thing, the Ebola epidemic is ongoing, while with the notable exception of HIV/AIDS, most of the other big outbreaks of the last decade are essentially finished. (Cholera in Haiti also remains a problem, but one that is diminishing somewhat.) That means we still don't know how Ebola will compare. read more