Arvid Noe

Arvid Noe (1946–1976) was a Norwegian sailor and truck driver who is recognized as the first known case of HIV/AIDS in Europe. His case is significant in the history of the HIV/AIDS pandemic as it provides insight into the early spread of the virus outside of Africa.

Early Life

Arvid Noe was born in Norway in 1946. Little is known about his early life, but he eventually became a sailor, which led him to travel extensively.

Career and Travels

Noe worked as a sailor and later as a truck driver. His occupation as a sailor took him to various parts of the world, including West Africa, where it is believed he contracted the HIV virus. During the 1960s, he visited several ports in Africa, which were later identified as early hotspots for the virus.

Illness and Death

In 1968, Noe began to experience symptoms that were later recognized as consistent with AIDS. He suffered from swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and other opportunistic infections. Despite numerous medical consultations, the cause of his illness remained undiagnosed during his lifetime.

Noe died in 1976 at the age of 29. His wife and daughter, who also showed similar symptoms, died shortly after him. It was not until years later, with the identification of HIV/AIDS, that his case was retrospectively diagnosed.

Significance

Arvid Noe's case is significant because it represents one of the earliest known instances of HIV/AIDS outside of Africa. His case, along with others, helped researchers understand the global spread of the virus and the timeline of the pandemic.

Retrospective Diagnosis

In the 1980s, after the identification of HIV as the causative agent of AIDS, researchers revisited Noe's medical records and tissue samples. These analyses confirmed that he had been infected with HIV, making him one of the earliest known cases in Europe.

Also see

• HIV/AIDS pandemic
• Gaëtan Dugas
• Robert Rayford
• History of HIV/AIDS