[Alia]

... it was called "something" before it was called "aids". I have this vague memory of that. Then the FORMAL.."AIDS". Was it "Gay Retro Imm Defiency Syndrome"?

[megatherium]

Yes, it was briefly called GRID. But it soon became clear it was appearing in injective drug users, hemophiliacs and Haitian immigrants. People referred to these risk groups -- Homosexuals, Heroin users, Hemophiliacs and Haitians -- as the 4H Club. For that reason they renamed it (although pressure from gay activists played a part in that).

Reminds me of the old joke: What's the hardest thing about getting AIDS? Trying to convince your mom you're Haitian.

[Waywardson]

It was first called WOGS by hospital staff, which stands for Wrath Of God Syndrome, with reference to the sodomite community in SF.