10. A Global Footprint: KS Across Continents
If diseases had passports, Kaposi Sarcoma’s would be filled with stamps from around the globe. Its presence isn’t confined to any particular geography, but the way it manifests and its prevalence varies across regions.
In the Western world, the rise of KS cases paralleled the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Cities, once untouched by this disease, saw an alarming uptick in the number of KS patients, particularly among the gay community. These were young individuals, with lives and dreams, now grappling with purplish lesions that became symbolic of a larger crisis.
Africa presents a different tale. Here, KS was not an unfamiliar entity. The continent had been dealing with the Endemic African KS for years. Yet, with the onset of HIV/AIDS, the numbers soared. Children, previously unaffected, were now part of the KS narrative, a heart-wrenching development.
Asia and the Mediterranean regions offer another perspective. Here, Classic KS had been documented for years, particularly among older men. The lesions were slower to develop, and the condition, while concerning, wasn’t as aggressive as its counterparts in other regions.
This global footprint of KS speaks volumes about the disease’s adaptability. It molds itself based on geography, local conditions, and co-existing infections, crafting unique regional tales while maintaining a universal core narrative. (10)
