The disease known as AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the final stage of HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes exceptional damage to the immune system . Some white blood cells called lymphocytes are destroyed, leading to a loss of the body's ability to protect itself against disease. Victims are exposed to increased susceptibility to infections, various types of cancers and neurological disorders. The origins and widespread epidemic of AIDS occurred between the 1970s and 1990s in the United States. A number of factors may have contributed to this sudden spread, including widespread drug use, the blood industry and international travel. The 1970s saw an increase in the availability of heroin following the Vietnam War and other conflicts in the Middle East, which helped spur a growth in intravenous drug use. This increased availability, coupled with the development of disposable plastic syringes and the creation of "shooting ranges" where people could buy drugs and rent equipment, provided another route through which the virus could be transmitted. When it comes to the blood industry, it has grown due to blood transfusions becoming a common part of medical practice and an increased demand for blood occurring. In the United States, it was common to rely on paid donors, including intravenous drug users. The role of international travel in the spread of the disease has been highlighted by traces in several US cities demonstrating the role of international travel in the spread of the virus. It also suggests that the disease was likely the result of a single transmissible agent. "Despite the many conjectures and myths that arose when the public first learned in the middle of paper... to live is to seek as much serenity as possible - stress is debilitating and will hasten the onslaught of the disease. We have made the choice to become spiritual. We had scenes of Tom meditating on tapes, things like that. We felt this guy was so determined to stay alive, at least long enough to see his name vindicated, that he was going to identify rage as a wasted emotion. Maybe we went a little too far in that direction. I find it admirable that he isn't more actively angry. However, the whole time we're talking, I keep imagining ACT-UP's demonstrations - and I admire that too. People with this illness are entitled to all the anger they want to express. Our choice for this particular guy was that he avoids anger.)