The cause of AIDS

Abstract

At an early stage of the AIDS epidemic when the disease appeared to be confined to promiscuous homosexuals, it seemed possible that a toxic environmental agent might be implicated. A leading candidate was amyl nitrite (p. 55), a so-called street or recreational drug used to intensify sexual activity and for its general stimulant effects. Homosexuals use this drug and other nitrites such as isobutyl and butyl nitrite far more frequently than heterosexuals. The nitrites also act to relax the smooth muscle of the rectum and anal sphincter to facilitate anal intercourse.