The first confirmed human oncogenic virus preferentially infected T-cells and caused leukemia. The virus was therefore labelled as the human T-cell leukemia virus, HTLV-1. These findings predated the discovery of AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control publication called Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report recorded the initial recognition of AIDS. Once AIDS was recognized by the medical community, the syndrome had to be explained. Many worthless opinions had a great deal of influence on society and on those suffering from infection. Among the early theories of the cause of AIDS was the biological warfare theory, God's retribution against homosexuals theory, the mutation theory, and the insect theory. Unwarranted panic and hysteria was often the rule rather than the exception in the early days of AIDS. Meanwhile the medical community began working to find the cure. 6 tables and 4 figures