[loeg]

In the 80s HIV wasn't really diagnosed until it had reached the AIDS level, was it? AIDS itself was first diagnosed in 1981 and HIV wasn't isolated until 1983 and didn't have that name until 1986.

I've tried to do a brief search for earliest HIV (non-AIDS) diagnosis, but many websites use AIDS and HIV interchangeably.

[jessriedel]

Sure, but vkou didn't say "being diagnosed with AIDS was a quick death sentence" Importantly, you could be practicing very unsafe sex for a decade with no apparent consequences, which is not what one would conclude from vkou's comment.

[rangibaby]

"And The Band Played On" might have something about it. I don't remember because I read it a lot time ago.