AIDS, 1981: Mystery of an Emerging Epidemic [audio 13min]

In 1981, most Americans were oblivious to an emerging sickness that was overtaking gays. Throughout the spring and summer that year, a mystery would slowly unfold in U.S. metropolitan areas. It was the beginning of an epidemic of biblical proportions that has left no part of the world untouched. Twenty-five years ago today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its first report on an illness that would come to be known as AIDS. But before that report, how did people grapple with a mysterious disease that appeared to target the gay community? Report by Brenda Wilson; produced by NPR's Rebecca Davis. ~Website offers multimedia AIDS timeline.