Career

His was the first confirmed Human Immunodeficiency Virus case in Europe, though the disease was not identified at the time of his death. The researchers studying the cases referred to Røed as the "Norwegian Sailor" and the anagram "Arvid Noe" to conceal his identity. His true name became known after his death.

Røed began his career as a sailor in 1961, when he was 15 years old.

Journalist Edward Hooper established that Røed had twice visited Africa as a sailor. First from mid-1961 to mid-1962 when Røed worked on the merchant vessel Hoegh Aronde, which traveled the west coast of Africa to Douala, Cameroon.

Røed was treated for gonorrhea on this journey. He returned to Africa in 1964, when he reached the port city of Mombasa, Kenya, in eastern Africa.

By 1968, Røed was no longer a sailor and was working as a long haul truck driver throughout Europe (mainly in Germany).

Beginning in 1966 (the same year Robert Rayford first presented with symptoms), Røed suffered from joint pain, lymphedema, and lung infections. His condition stabilized with treatment until 1975, when Røed"s symptoms worsened. He developed motor control difficulties and dementia, and died on 24 April 1976.

Based on research conducted after his death, Røed is believed to have contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Cameroon in 1961 or 1962, where he was known to have been sexually active with many African women, including prostitutes.

Røed was infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 group O, which is known to have been prevalent in Cameroon in the early 1960s. During his tenure as a truck driver, from 1968 to 1972, Røed engaged in sexual activity with many prostitutes and almost certainly gave some Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

These women almost certainly passed the disease on to other clients.